Johnny's Terminal Cancer Walk from St James's Hospital, Leeds to the Down Syndrome Centre, Bingley

- 21st March 2025

Johnny has Stage 4 Mucosal Melanoma, and was given a terminal diagnosis in January 2025 - nearly 2 years since diagnosis. There are no treatments available for this type of cancer currently.

Johnny's son Leo has Down Syndrome, so we are trying to raise £100,000 in 2025 for the Down Syndrome Centre in Bingley which has supported Leo through his development and continues to help Leo so much.

Like many charities, funds are tight - Johnny's Walk is aiming to raise £10,000 to help their 2025 fundraising target of £100,000.

Press Release

Terminally ill Wharfedale man pledges to raise £10,000 for local Down Syndrome charity

Menston resident Johnny Ratcliffe, who has been battling a rare form of cancer (anorectal mucosal melanoma) for the last 2 years, has set himself a target to raise £10,000 for local charity, The Down Syndrome Training and Support Service in Bingley, so that support for his wife and 5-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, can continue after he is no longer here.

Johnny (45) and his wife, Melissa (43), are walking 15 miles from St James’ Hospital in Leeds to the Down Syndrome Support Service headquarters in Bingley.

Following a courageous two-year fight, which has seen the father of three undergo 8 complex operations as well as two courses of grueling immunotherapy, Menston based Johnny felt compelled to complete one last challenge to support his family whilst he still can.

The walk, which will take place on Friday 21st March 2025, will be physically and mentally exhausting for Johnny and it is likely he will need to be pushed in a specially adapted wheelchair for parts of it due to the recent decline in his health following the tragic news that his cancer is now terminal. However, Johnny is determined to walk as much of the distance as he can manage on the day.

“I’ve been battling this incurable cancer for two years now, and I’ve tried everything, but sadly there isn’t a cure for mucosal melanoma. The strain on our family has been huge, but with the support from friends and the Down Syndrome Training & Support charity in Bingley the burden has been eased - they are absolutely amazing”

Prior to receiving his cancer diagnosis, Johnny ran 5K every day for a month to raise funds for the local charity, Down Syndrome Training & Support in Bingley, who provide much needed support for his third child, 5-year-old Leo. Now he realizes that this will be the last fundraising event he can take on for the charity, who are currently experiencing financial difficulty.

The Bingley based charity currently faces a daunting future; the money Johnny raises from this demanding walk is needed more than ever. This year, the charity is celebrating 25 years of service and has set itself an ambitious target of raising £100,000 in 2025.

“Funding, donations and fundraising were all down in 2024, meaning the charity is currently running a deficit. Tough decisions have been made and from 1st January 2025 we will be closed on a Friday and our services and support will be reduced.”

Johnny, a local business owner who attended Ilkley Grammar, is acutely aware of the difficulties his wife will face bringing up three young children without him, particularly since Leo has significant special needs. He hopes the funds he will raise from this event will mean the local charity will be able to continue the vital support they currently provide to the family.

The Walk

Johnny and Melissa aim to set off from St James’ Hospital, where Johnny has undergone treatment for his cancer, at 9.30am on Friday 21st March (World Down Syndrome Day) and hope to arrive at the Down Syndrome Training & Support Service offices on Whitley St Bingley later in the day.

For more information and to donate online, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/team/johnnys

About Down Syndrome Training and Support Service Ltd

The Down Syndrome Training and Support Service Ltd offers support and a wide range of training for all parents and professionals working and caring for children

with Down syndrome. We currently support over 420 families and 200 organisations across health, education and social care, writing a monthly newsletter to keep everyone up to date with our services and other relevant issues in the world of Down syndrome and learning disability.

We deliver specific training, early intervention and speech and language group sessions, employing one full time and 10 part time staff, one of whom happens to have Down syndrome. In addition, over 20 volunteers help us to deliver our services, supporting families and assisting with fundraising.

We are very proud of our journey and the progress we have made over the years to improve the education, development and inclusion of children and young people who have Down Syndrome.