A couple of references have been recently made in the Cornish Times about the value of Liskeard Community Hospital’s Triangle Centre ‘drop in’ service to local people with cancer and their families. The service includes counselling, complementary therapy and access to cancer support specialist nurses who can advise, inform and reassure on every aspect of cancer treatment and recovery. No appointment is necessary and you can always rely upon a warm welcome, a cup of tea and a piece of home-made cake! The service is free but, being separately funded from the NHS, the Liskeard Triangle Centre (and sister Triangle Centres in Tavistock and Kingsbridge) can never make assumptions about the future.

John is living with cancer and his wife Shirley is a cancer survivor. The Liskeard Triangle Centre has helped them a lot over the last couple of years and with relatively good health still on their side, it seemed timely and appropriate to try and give something back. On the 28^th June, accompanied by several members of their family (the youngest being just 2 years old!) they walked, paddled and cycled the length of the Exe Trail to raise funds for the Liskeard Triangle Centre. 

It was a challenge in more ways than one. Most of the party were initially stranded the wrong side of the Exe estuary thereby delaying the start time by an hour. A few people were tested by equipment – Shirley fell off her bike, her son had a puncture three miles short of the finish and having misplaced the key to his padlocked bike, her son-in-law had to resort to bolt cutters. At a complicated road junction, cyclists lost touch and one group headed off aimlessly in the wrong direction for several unnecessary miles! However, everyone eventually crossed the finishing line (with John and Shirley arriving an hour later than the rest); nobody took an unexpected swim in the Exe canal even though kayak experience was generally minimal and the weather improved as the day wore on, ending with warm evening sunshine.

John and Shirley’s Exe Trail Challenge has now raised over £1300 for the Liskeard Triangle Centre. They would like to thank all those who donated: family members, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, gym buddies and others who just wanted to make a difference. Thanks also to manager Amy (Exeter Quay Saddles & Paddles) who stayed on after opening hours to take back hire bikes and to Nils (KayakHub) who was so willing to help and generous with his time.  Liskeard Triangle Centre

John and Shirley Gear-Evans from Manaton