'Much harder than I imagined'- Lancashire dad with terminal cancer raises over £31k in Sir Chris Hoy challenge

A Lancashire dad with terminal cancer has raised over £31,000 as part of a major fundraising challenge with cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

57-year-old Mark Kingsley from St Annes, who has been living with stage four prostate cancer for over five years, last weekend took part in a Tour de 4 cycling event, organised by the Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, who received an identical diagnosis two years after him.

Taking place in Glasgow on Sunday, September 6, the mass ride saw more than 5,000 cyclists- including around 100 prostate cancer survivors like Mark and Sir Chris- raise over £2.7million for five major charities: Breast Cancer Now, Cure Leukaemia, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s and Prostate Cancer UK.

Mark, who was joined by three friends for the cycle, said: “The 56 miles was tough - at around 14 miles there is a 2.5 mile hill called “Tak me doon” that was really long but we were cheered all the way round by a great Glasgow crowd which helped me. Then at 40 miles my backside was really bad and my legs very tired but at that point it was just ‘get through the last 16 miles anyway you can’. The weather wasn’t great, wind, rain sun - all seasons but as a team of four we just helped each other round.

“The main issue I had was the tumour on my pubic bone and the saddle - it was very uncomfortable but I just tried to ride through it and did. It was much harder than I imagined.

“On the way through small villages we saw bagpipe players, big crowds, even a donkey (thought I was seeing things) and crossing the finish at the end as a four with people cheering and being greeted by my wife and daughter was an amazing feeling. Something I can’t really describe. I shed tears thinking about my cancer journey and everyone I’ve met through cancer.

“After the birth of my daughter and getting married it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Mark’s triumphant cycle would have seemed impossible to him back when he was diagnosed in 2021.

Having only been encouraged to go for a general check up following the sudden death of his father from heart failure, Mark was shocked to discover he not only had prostate cancer but that it was at the most severe stage too, having spread to his bones.

Mark, who shares a nine-year-old daughter Grace with his wife of 15 years, Anne, said: “I had no real symptoms, and I went from my dad dying to six weeks later, having cancer, and then them saying two weeks after that that it was actually stage four and terminal. Those couple of months knocked me for six back then.

“I was told my life expectancy would be about three years, and it's very difficult to get your head around something like that when you've been physically fit all your life.

“All I could think about was the thought of losing my daughter and my wife. I would have given up anything to see my daughter grow up. I know it’s cliche but missing her getting married, getting her first car, all of those things were flooding through my mind.”

Thankfully, however, after months of chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy- the latter of which he still receives every three months- Mark was told in March 2022 that his cancer was stable, his PSA level having fallen to 0.05 which is classed as undetectable.

Since then, the former Civil Service worker has gotten into alternative medicine and wellbeing practices to help prolong his life, so that now, more than five years after his terminal diagnosis, Mark says he is fitter than he was in his 30s.

Having reached the five year milestone, he was inspired to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK after watching Sir Chris Hoy’s first Tour de 4 event last year which raised over £800,000 for the charity.

Mark signed himself up for the 2026 event, alongside some friends, and he entered the Tour de 4 last weekend as the fourth highest fundraiser, his grand total now being just over £31,000.

The father of one’s fundraising efforts were particularly bolstered by a fun day event he held at Performance Padel Preston last month- the sport being central to his recovery post treatment.

Reflecting on the fundraising total, Mark said: “The main reason I was doing this was to raise awareness. I’ve handed out 100 self test home kits to test your prostate and to me if that helps at least one person everything’s been worthwhile. The money is a bonus.

“What started as £1k, moved to £5k then we topped it off raising approx £22k on the fun day through sponsorship, auctions and raffles. It’s a fantastic achievement, one I’m very proud of but it wouldn't have been possible without the help of Performance Padel club Preston. They were fantastic and deserve so much credit.

“There are also many people who helped throughout the process giving their time up for free and a big thank you to each and everyone of you. I feel so blessed to have had such support.”

Asked if he has any more fundraising challenges on the horizon, Mark said: “I thought about this after the event and wondered if I could do it again. My body says no but my head says yes so hopefully all being well with my diagnosis I’d love to do it again next year.”

You can read more about Mark’s health journey in our original story here and photos from his Preston fun day here.