Denis rides again – charity cycle for life-saving medical research

The chair of a medical research charity is cycling the length of the UK to raise money for the life-saving study undertaken at the University of Plymouth. 

Denis Wilkins, 76, from Menheniot, Cornwall, is chair of the Peninsula Medical Foundation (PMF) and will start his 12-day journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats on 28 August.

PMF raises money for research undertaken in the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, which includes work on low-grade brain tumours in the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.

Brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer and, having always wanted to complete the 1,000-mile ride, Denis hopes his fundraising efforts will contribute to a PhD studentship.

Alongside themes of infection, immunity and inflammation and clinical neuroscience, the research into brain tumours and cancer is conducted as part of the University’s Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine (ITSMed).

Denis said:

“What I love about the medical research at the University of Plymouth is that it’s truly translational. It’s not just doing work to find out something interesting, these scientists are doing it to save lives. Completing the Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride has been on my bucket list for years and after a chat about how we could raise money, Nick and I finally talked ourselves into taking the plunge.

“It’s a supported trip so we have places to stay but it’s going to be a huge challenge. I’ve enjoyed cycling as a hobby for many years but never done anything on quite this scale, so would be beyond grateful for any donations that people could spare.”