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

- Friday 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 being offered to Johnny for this rare type of cancer.

Johnny's Walk is aiming to raise £20,000 for Bingley Down Syndrome Training & Support and Melanoma Focus.

Press Release

Terminally ill Wharfedale man pledges to raise £10,000 for Down Syndrome and Melanoma 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 £20,000 for two charities:

Down Syndrome Training & Support - who help Johnny's son Leo

Melanoma Focus - Who research and campaign for Melanoma patients

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. It's important that even if there isn't a treatment for me, there is for future generations - Melanoma Focus is campaigning for just that.”

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 & Support

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.

About Melanoma Focus

Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing help and support to melanoma patients and professionals as well as raising awareness of melanoma, the 5th most common cancer in the UK.

For patients and their carers we provide the only Melanoma Helpline, run by experienced skin cancer nurses, specifically for anyone concerned about melanoma. Additionally, we have created a wide range of trusted patient information including the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma skin cancer and rare melanomas on our website and in booklet form. The Melanoma TrialFinder, a searchable resource has been designed to understand and locate potential clinical trials to discuss with a patient’s medical team.

For our professional membership, we organise biannual conferences where the latest scientific advances can be discussed in a wholly expert arena. Additionally, we have published clinical guidelines on rare melanomas and other areas of interest to the melanoma community. We provide funding to support research projects and developed resources to keep abreast of UK melanoma clinical trials, all in order to widen our impact on melanoma as a disease.