One Hundred Years Of Respite From Cancer
31 December 2025
In early 2002, our sister organisation Sail 4 Cancer chartered a tall ship and challenged 50 people to climb the ship’s two 150 foot (45m) masts. Aside from raising a large sum of money, the day had an unexpected but equally stunning outcome.
Three people on-board that day were undergoing cancer treatment and their feedback was compelling. Aside from having a tangible date in the diary to focus on, all three had not thought about cancer from the moment they had set foot on the ship.
They found solace in talking to the other cancer patients on-board. They achieved things they never thought their bodies would ever allow again. They came ashore with a renewed sense of confidence, re-energised and ready to continue the fight. Sail 4 Cancer had just delivered its first three respite days.
Fast forward to the end of 2025 and we have just delivered our 37,000th respite day. Over 100 Years Of Respite Days; an objective that we said would be delivered by the end of 2025 (circa 25 years after the charity launched).
Despite now having a ‘Group’ of subsidiaries (including Sail 4 Cancer, Ski 4 Cancer, Bike 4 Cancer, the Neil Vines Trust and several others), hitting this ‘100 Year’ target has been a formidable challenge given that funding has dropped by 90% since the onset of COVID.
We owe a debt of gratitude to literally thousands of people. To all the donors, volunteers, fundraisers, trustees, ambassadors, vice-patrons, patrons, corporate partners and sponsors, we would like to thank each and every one of you.
Collectively you have helped thousands of families living in very difficult circumstances. You have given families the gift of time, space and hope. Time for families to spend together away from all the reminders of cancer at home. Space in which to create precious memories or to grieve. Hope that together we may beat all forms of this terrible disease. This is your collective achievement and we salute you all.
In the words of the famous Japanese writer, Ryunosuke Satoro:
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
As we move into 2026 there is still much work to be done… over 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every day. If anyone is reading this and knows someone who would benefit from the charity’s help, please get in touch.
Similarly, if you’d like to get involved in driving the charity forward, we’d love to hear from you too. With a drop in funding of 90% since 2020, we’d really welcome your help!
With best wishes for 2026,
From everybody at Run 4 Cancer
