Connor (left) with Mama Jane, Brother Callum and Papa Cliff shortly before he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 11
A brave father will cycle across Britain to honor his son who died of cancer.
Cliff McConkey, who lives in Heaton Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester, accepts the challenge in memory of son Connor who died of rhabdomyosarcoma almost two years ago at the age of 12.
Cliff, 51, is starting the Deloitte Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge on September 4th to raise £ 30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Connor was 11 when he was diagnosed with the rare type of soft tissue sarcoma, which affects the body’s connective tissue such as muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, bones and cartilage.
He was treated at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he and his family, including mother Jane and brother Callum, were supported by a Macmillan nurse.
Cliff said, “Cancer is totally tearing your life apart, whether you are the patient or someone you love. You will be thrown into a tsunami of emotion not just the day you get the news, but throughout the treatment.
“You have to deal with so much, bombarded with complex information, make several difficult decisions, and feel physically awful as a patient. Actually, you just want to curl up in a ball and hide in a corner.
“You have to be in your A-game, however, as treatment has to start as soon as possible, which is actually making things worse, before you have a chance to get better.
“So the drugs don’t work on their own – the role of Macmillan’s support throughout cancer is critical. They can really help you realize the plan and move on. “
Cliff McConkey
Cliff added that the bike ride was important to remembering and honoring Connor, who attended Tithe Barn Primary School and Priestnall High School, where he was diagnosed after just one semester.
“Ultimately, no medication helped my son Connor as he lost his life almost two years ago after fighting it with determination, courage and bravery for a year,” said Cliff.
“All along, our Macmillan nurse was with us every single step. These days when we had hope and the days when our world collapsed.
“She supported us not only clinically, but also emotionally. She has helped us through so many difficult times. It really felt like an angel had been sent to us. “
Cliff, an accountant and avid cyclist who rides for Chorlton Velo, said the family had received a lot of love and donations from family and friends.
Their church’s ward, Ivy Church in Didsbury, donated £ 10,000 to Cliffs Justgiving Site, meaning he has raised £ 25,000 so far of his goal of £ 30,000.
Cliff said, “It’s so important to remember and honor Connor and the bike ride will help us with that.
“Connor loved everything to do with water and was happiest in a water park or by the ocean and enjoyed swimming too. He also enjoyed watching football; Liverpool are his favorite team that he has actually met a couple of times.
“He also loved adventure and traveling to new places. His vacation in a new place was his happy place – he had many plans to travel the world. He also loved animals, visits to zoos and safari parks were one of his favorite pastimes. “
Rose Tipton, Macmillan’s regional fundraising manager, said, “Cliff’s strength and determination to do this for Connor is really humbling.
“As a family, they went through the greatest tragedy imaginable and they are determined to honor Connor’s death by doing something very positive. We are so grateful. “
The Cliff Fundraising page can be found here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cliff-mcconkey1
