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Search forNell's fight with cancer inspires the Brady Bunch
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 23:00
And among those leading the charge from the Cowick Street practice will be Dr Mark Watson.
"I have been happily talked into it by an entire team of doctors, nurses and admin staff," he said.
The reason for this mass movement is that most personal of reasons: one of their own has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
"Our most senior secretary, Nell Brady, was diagnosed a year ago," said the GP.
"She is undergoing treatment at the moment and is off on sick leave. She is valiantly recovering and fighting to get fit."
Nell, who lives with her son, has worked at the health centre for over 30 years. For the last 13 she has been Mark's personal secretary.
"She is highly respected and popular with everybody," he said.
"The staff thought this was the most positive way to express their support and signed up for the run a couple of months ago."
Adopting the name the Brady Bunch, they are also organising other events to raise money for Cancer Research UK, such as non-uniform days and bringing in food for people to buy. To help them achieve their £1,000 target, the Brady Bunch have set up a website for sponsors.
Most of the team have been in regular training for the big day — except for a certain 50-year-old doctor.
"I've had limited time for training, but others have been training every Tuesday evening" he said.
"I was a keen runner as a schoolboy, but I've, er, let things slip recently. I love recreational cycling and I am a keen golfer."
Asked for his race predictions, the father of three boys was both optimistic and cagey.
"My family are not involved, though they will be there to cheer me on," he said.
"I'll certainly complete the course — there is a lot of pride at stake here! I know the race is 10km and I'm happy with the first two kilometres — thereafter we're in unknown territory."
Mark, who has 20 years' experience in medicine, has been a general practitioner in a team of 30 medical and admin staff at the St Thomas Health Centre for the last 13 years. The practice, which also operates sites in Exwick and at the university health centre, is one of the biggest in the South West, with a total of 20 GPs.
"As a family doctor I'm in a unique position to see the impact of cancer on individuals and their families," said the GP.
"It affects people who are otherwise healthy, and we can't think of a better cause to raise money for."
Entries to the run, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants and their supporters, are now closed but more information on the event and the work of the charity can be viewed at www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k/venues/pow derham08. Alternatively call 0871 6412401.
The run is one of a series of 41 events which will be held at locations throughout the UK this autumn.
This year, Cancer Research hopes more than 50,000 men and women will take part and raise just over £5 million.
There is also an event on Newnham Park in Plymouth on Sunday, October 5, at 11am.
Cancer Research UK is a nationwide charity with the purpose of carrying out world-class research to improve our understanding of cancer and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. For further information about the charity's work or to find out how to support it, call 08701 602040 or go to the website at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
The Brady Bunch website is at www.run10ksponsorme .org/bradybunch.
Dr Mark Watson with staff from St Thomas Health Centre who are taking part in the Powderham Run 10k event LAURENCE UNDERHILL EE040908_LU05_04
