A LOVING daughter who felt ‘powerless’ to help her ill father is fund-raising for Prostate Cancer UK by taking on 12 half marathons.
Henley resident Rosie Vetter decided to complete the monthly challenge after her father was diagnosed with the disease last year.
The 35-year-old was impressed with the level of care he received and wanted to help the charity.
She said: “When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer it is absolutely terrifying and it made me feel completely powerless. I had to do something positive to help raise awareness of prostate cancer. I also have three brothers who are now at high risk of the disease in later life.
“People have been extremely generous and many have shared their own experiences of cancer as well as thanking me for raising an issue that many men are too nervous to talk about.”
She added raising awareness among men was crucial and they should be encouraged to go to their GP with any concerns.
Rosie – who admits to barely running more than 5km in the past three years – endures a strict training regime each week accompanied by her trusty border collie Lincoln.
The HS2 environment manager has already completed her first half marathon in Gloucester, raising £2,000.
Other marathons lined up for Rosie’s year-long challenge include in Bath, Leicester and Leamington as well as another in San Francisco.
Prostate Cancer UK fund-raising director Gabriella Bailey praised Rosie for her efforts.
She said: “Currently, one man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer, which is simply unacceptable. We need to turn the game around for men and make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear.”
Rosie and her colleagues are planning a series of events – including quizzes and bake sales – to raise more money.
Visit www.justgiving.com and search ‘Rosie Vetter’ to donate to her cause.
