Bedford marathon runner gets major award for commitment to pancreatic cancer charity

Bedford marathon runner Graham Sturge has been presented with an award by Pancreatic Cancer UK for his exceptional commitment to the charity.

He received the Purple Star Award at a virtual ceremony to coincide with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

The 48-year-old signed up to run the London Marathon for the charity three years ago after his dad was diagnosed with the disease.

Tragically, his dad died the night before the marathon but Graham was determined to run and finish the race in his memory.

Graham came back to run the London Marathon again in 2018 and 2019. He became the fifth person from the UK to complete all six world major marathons in one year including: Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Tokyo and London.

He said: “My dad always tried to make a positive difference to people's lives. Receiving this award is such a great honour and, in some ways, gives some meaning to my dad’s passing.”

Diana Jupp, Pancreatic Cancer UK's chief executive, presented the award at a virtual award ceremony.

She said: “What Graham has achieved is phenomenal. From being someone who claimed they couldn’t run for the bus to running marathons across the world. He has raised so much awareness and been a huge support for the charity. He completely deserves the Purple Star Award.”

Around 1,030 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year in the East of England. Less than seven per cent of people with the disease will live for five years after diagnosis, making it the deadliest common cancer