One Man's Journey For Everyman
London To Morocco: Skateboarder Gets Money Rolling In For Everyman
6 November 2007
A daredevil skateboarder has returned to London triumphant after skating over 1,500 miles to Morocco to help raise money for Everyman - the UK’s leading Male Cancer Campaign.
Charlie Hodgson, 25, set out on his epic journey on 7 August with just a skateboard, a tent and a rucksack full of clothes. The TV runner skateboarded for 74 days straight, through France, Spain and Gibraltar and finally Morocco, going through six pairs of trainers and two new sets of wheels in the process.
Charlie, who has been skateboarding since he was 13, decided to support the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, which funds research into prostate and testicular cancer, after two people in his life were affected by male cancer.
He said: “One of my closest friends was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which came as a huge shock. I never imagined that a guy my age would get the disease and I feel that more men need to be aware of cancers that can affect them. I hope that by doing something unusual I am helping to get the message across.”
The courageous skateboarder was given a warm welcome by locals as he made his way from country to country, even being declared a guest of honour by the Mayor of Le Mont in the north of France.
Charlie travelled through all different types of terrain to reach Morocco, including a mountain range, which peaked at 1,577 metres above sea level, in Puerto de Mijares in Spain.
Hannah Crabtree, a spokesperson from Everyman, said: “We’re all really proud of Charlie. Not only has he achieved an amazing physical feat, he has helped to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer from one continent to another.”
The Everyman Campaign is run by The Institute of Cancer Research to raise awareness of, and fund research into, prostate and testicular cancer at The Everyman Centre - Europe’s first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research.
To find out more about Charlie’s travels or to donate towards his efforts, visit: www.testicleofmanhood.com
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For further information or to arrange interviews please contact:
Dominique Vincent
Everyman Campaign
Tel: 020 7153 5312 / 07721 747 900
Email: dominique.vincent@icr.ac.uk
