Professor combines passions and takes on station-a-thon for cancer charity

27th July 2016

Emeritus Professor Barry Hancock OBE will visit 136 train stations this August over a 1 day period to help raise funds for the cancer charity of which he is a Trustee.

Professor Hancock, who played a pivotal role in shaping and developing cancer services in Sheffield during his 40 year career will set off from Sheffield train station on the 13th August and will visit 136 stations on the Northern Rail Network the same day, all in aid of Weston Park Cancer Charity. Combining his love of railways and lifelong passion for improving the lives of those fighting cancer, Professor Hancock plans to undertake this unique challenge to raise money and awareness of Weston Park Hospital's dedicated charity. -I don't think this is something which has been done before said Barry. -So, more than anything I hope this helps increase awareness of the brilliant work which Weston Park Cancer Charity does in supporting patients being treated at Weston Park Hospital. -Northern Rail has very kindly given me a free rail pass for the day which will help me travel from station to station and ultimately complete my challenge in good time. -Over the years, the cancer charity, of which I am a long-standing Trustee, has supported many vital projects at Weston Park Hospital, paving the way for pioneering new treatments and enhanced support systems for cancer patients in the region. Weston Park Hospital is one of only a handful of specialist cancer hospitals in England and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire a population of almost 1.8million people. Weston Park Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to support the world-class cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer. After training for five years in General Medicine and becoming a lecturer in Medicine and Medical Oncology at the University in 1974, Professor Hancock's interest in Oncology developed and he was promoted to senior lecturer and then reader, and in 1988 was appointed to Sheffield's first Chair of Oncology. Working as a Dr of Oncology at Weston Park Hospital, he achieved many awards and merits for his dedication to the subject and his patients, and although now retired, he still plays an active part in cancer research. Now, as a Trustee of Weston Park Cancer Charity, Barry continues channelling his passions into supporting the cause though fundraising. To sponsor Processor Hancock's station-a-thon visit his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Barry-Hancock4