Climb of Life 2020
Taking a decision as to whether to run Climb of Life 2020 remains challenging, given the changing social landscape with Covid-19. On balance, the organising committee feels it makes sense to try and run some sort of event. This is in order to support the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in whatever limited way is possible and safe to do so. And to sustain the bonds of fellowship and camaraderie that have been invested in the 32 years since Graeme Chapman MBE first came up with the idea.
As Professor Workman, the CEO of ICR said recently:
"We've lost many vital research hours to the coronavirus crisis. Cancer has not been self-isolating, so the need for our work has continued to grow. Many cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever right now, and we are also concerned that patients are facing delays in diagnosis and treatment.
We hope to make up for lost time in discovering smarter, kinder and more effective cancer treatments."
CoL 2020 is planned to go ahead, subject to any further government restrictions, recognising that this year will be very different to any that have come before, and hopefully any in future. This year we will have no physical social gatherings at all before, during or after the event. We will also limit ourselves to 11 groups of six - very socially distant from each other as they will all be hiking outdoors on different routes within the Lakes. All on the same day, the 6th November, but all starting and finishing independently of each other. You could say we are running eleven different Climb of Life events in 2020...!
We also plan to facilitate an online social event or events - more details closer to the time, not only for those participants on the 6th November but also for all of you who would like to offer some level of support, but for whom attendance and fundraising this year has just been impossible. Hopefully you can join us - we will announce dates and joining instructions soon.
We are very grateful to all those taking part, recognising that for many it is understandably not the right circumstances to do so. We look forward to holding a more normal event in future years, and we acknowledge the incredible contribution made by so many different participants and companies in the past. It remains an incredible achievement by so many that over £1.7 million has been raised by CoL for the great causes it supports.
We have a new website - at climboflife.wordpress.com - please visit and register your email for updates on content, or to make an donation if you possibly can. Or if you want to be in one of the groups of six there are still some places left, but you'll have to hurry!