Family and friends of Mark Bamforth coming together, joining his sister on her quest to walk 500km in his memory.

On the 5th September 2023, at the age of just 56 Mark lost his battle with cancer. Mark was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and had surgery to attempt to remove then chemo to kill off anything that may have been left. Sadly in 2020 Mark was told the melanoma had travelled to his lungs, and then in 2021 told it had travelled to his brain.

Various treatments over 2 years to try to stop the growth were eventually unsuccessful.

Mark leaves behind his wife Helen and 2 children, Saffron and Elliott, as well as his parents, brother and sister, large extended family and an abundance of friends, ex colleagues and business contacts.

Mark was very active, he loved to walk, bike ride and played lots of different sports, with golf being his absolute favourite. He did lots throughout his life to support charities and always gave 100% to everything that he set his mind to. He was an excellent example to all of us, hence Julie's hallenge this year to walk 526km over 10 walks in his memory to support his and Helen's chosen charity of their local hospice Arthur Rank in Cambridge. On May 25th, just before Marks birthday and on the 7th September, around his 1 year anniversary will take on biggest challenges of 100km continuous.

The total distance is approximately 12 marathons.

Whilst we cannot bring him back or take away the pain of all of us who loved him so dearly, can honour his memory in positive ways.

Arthur Rank gave support to Mark, Helen and family at the most devastating and stressful time of their lives and without them Marks end of life experience would have been completely different. Their support and care visits meant Mark was able to stay with and be looked after at home by his wife and children.

Walks 2024

January 27th London Winter Walk 42km (26.1 miles) - Julie lking with Marks wife Helen ❤️

April 6th Easter 50km (31 miles) - being joined by our cousin Sam and his wife Bonny ❤️

May 25th London to Brighton 100km (62.1 miles) Julie walking with her husband Andy ❤️

June 23nd Cotswold Way 47km (29.2 miles)

July 6th Peak District Challenge 52km (32.3 miles)

July 27th North Downs 50km (31 miles)

September 7th South Coast Challenge 100km (62.1 miles)

September 13th Thames Moonlight 10km (6 miles)

September 14th Thames Bridges 25km (15 1/2 miles)

September 28th Chiltern 50km (31 miles)

Total 526km (326.8 miles)