Inmates spurred on by tragic Cliff

Mar 24 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Inmates spurred on by tragic Cliff

STAFF and inmates at Perth Prison were close to tears after a terminally-ill cancer patient told his emotional story in a bid to support a fundraising effort for a charity he described as “crucial”.

Cliff Appleton was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in January and has been a regular at the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Dundee, situated next to Ninewells Hospital, ever since.

The 49-year-old father-of-two said the staff at Maggie’s provide him with crucial support needed to come to terms with the fact that, in just a few short months, he will no longer be able to see his children.

Speaking at HMI Perth, brave Cliff said: “My diagnosis came completely out of the blue.

“After going to the doctor’s with chest pains last year they said I had stomach cancer. I had an operation in November but it was too late, it was terminal.

“Not being there for my children is a hard one to take. I wouldn’t have got through it if I didn’t receive the counselling from Maggie’s.

“The NHS staff have been brilliant, but they don’t have the time or the money to give you the same level of emotional support that Maggie’s do.

“Coming here today is the least I can do if it helps raise money and awareness for something that has been invaluable to me,” he said.

Over 100 prison officers from jails across Scotland will be taking part in the charity’s Monster Bike and Hike event on the weekend of May 2 and 3.

The gruelling effort comprises a 30-mile cycle and either an eight, 23 or 43-mile hike starting in the shadow of Ben Nevis and travelling along the Great Glen Way to Inverness.

Staff at Perth were first moved to take part after Alan Arundel, their PE regimes manager, tragically lost his wife Elaine to cancer three years ago.

Visibly moved by Cliff’s emotional story, Alan – who has completed the longest 73-mile course each time he has tackled the fundraiser – said: “I thought about entering the Monster as a way of giving me the motivation to get through the dark days after Elaine died.

“Coping with her loss and bringing up our two children have been the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life.

“But it’s not until you do something like the Monster that you realise so many other people have stories to tell,’’ he said.

Around a dozen prisoners will also attempt the epic test of endurance during a simulated effort inside the confines of their prison gym.

They will also be testing their strength by staging a sponsored weightlifting exercise to raise more cash.

Perth prisoner Steve told the PA: “All the lads here were keen to take part because it’s for a really good cause.’’

Maggie’s events officer Grant Yuill said: “The Monster Bike and Hike is our flagship event, it helps raise awareness, but it also provides a fantastic goal and focus for the inmates to help with their rehabilitation.”