A Stoke-on-Trent dad-of-two was given the shock news that he had skin cancer after getting a ‘dent’ on his right cheek checked out. The diagnosis came just months after Stephen Lewis-Brammer had started a mammoth ‘round the world’ cycle challenge to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
The 54-year-old, from Trentham, said: “Fortunately, it was a non-melanoma cancer, so was relatively easy to treat and cure. I was told it was most probably caused from exposure to the sun’s rays while I was driving at work, so I shared it on social media as I wanted others to think of applying sunscreen to prevent the same issue.
“I’d always do that on days off when I was going to be outside, but I wouldn’t have thought of doing it when I was working.” Steve, who works as a commercial director at Bri-Stor Systems in Staffordshire, is now nearing the end of his incredible four-year challenge to virtually cycle the circumference of the earth, uphill.
He has so far raised more than £11,000. Since 2020, he has pedalled more than more than 22,300 miles out of 24,301, averaging 30km/hr each session.
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All the miles have been completed on his home exercise bike set on ‘uphill’ – a self-imposed hardship to represent the challenge faced by patients facing the disease, and the scientists fighting to beat it. Steve was motivated to start the fundraising challenge after several people close to him were diagnosed with cancer at advanced stages.
He said: “Cancer has either taken their life soon afterwards or has resulted in them going through great trauma and pain, affecting them and their loved ones. Having seen what they have gone through, I wanted to try to help make a difference to others who are yet to have a diagnosis.
“When I’m pedalling, I only have to think about people I have known and loved, and what they have gone through, to put things in perspective. Any pain I feel from the pedalling is a short-term ache that I can recover from quickly after I get off the bike.
“Their challenge is much tougher and in many cases there’s no respite or recovery. My focus is to help give people with a terminal diagnosis more time with their loved ones and to help provide those without a diagnosis a better chance to never have one.”
Steve is aiming to raise around £15,000. Cancer Research UK’s fundraising spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent, Nicholas Fear, said: “Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 50 years, but we’re not stopping now.
“Incredible supporters like Steve are helping us to go further and faster in the fight against the disease. By raising money for vital research, he is bringing hope to people affected by cancer in Stoke-on-Trent and across the UK.
“Steve has come so far already and we’re sure he is going to have an amazing experience as he approaches the finish line. We want to wish him all the very best as he gets closer to his goal and can’t thank him enough for his commitment to the cause. Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime.* All of us can support the research that will help beat it.”
People can sponsor Steve at justgiving.com/fundraising/cycling-round-the-world
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
