Facing Up
1944. Luke Grenfell-Shaw
Luke Grenfell-Shaw, from Bristol, is raising over £300,000 for five cancer-related charities through a 30,000 kilometre cycle ride, following his own diagnosis with a rare and aggressive stage IV cancer in 2018.
Luke, who describes himself as a “canliver” rather than as a cancer survivor, wanted to challenge himself to inspire others with cancer or facing adversity, particularly after he lost his older brother John who died in an accidental fall in the Lake District only a month after he started chemotherapy. After completing half marathons and triathlons, in 2020 he set himself the challenge of a tandem cycle ride from Bristol to Beijing, crossing 30 different countries. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, he pressed on with his challenge, and has run a blog and podcast, ‘Facing Up with Luke Grenfell-Shaw’ along the way, exploring how people can positively face up to adversity and personal challenges. While unable to enter China due to pandemic border restrictions, he has just completed the final stage of his journey by cycling the equivalent distance on a stationary turbo in London. Among the charities benefitting from his fundraising are ‘Clic Sargent’, ‘5k Your Way’, ‘Trekstok’ and ‘Teenage Cancer Trust’, with a further fifth charitable partner varying with each regional leg of his challenge.
Luke said:
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend the last two and a half years cycling across the world to show what’s possible with cancer. On New Year’s Day 2020, I had no idea how challenging my journey would be, or if I would be able to complete it. It has been an immense experience, sharing the cycling with over 300 people from 29 countries, including 28 who also have cancer. With the support of hundreds of people – from petrol pump attendants in the Uzbekistan desert to British Ambassadors in leafy Delhi – I have been able to cross the world during a pandemic and raise over £125,000 for cancer charities so far. Receiving the Points of Light Award is a wonderful testament to the huge amount of time and energy everyone has put in to achieve the seemingly impossible. Stay tuned for the book and documentary!”
Pictured below: Luke in Bristol at the end of his challenge
