South Coast Ultra Challenge to support Robin Cancer Trust

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A charity founder is preparing to take on his toughest endurance challenge yet.

Toby Freeman, 37, from Colchester, will tackle the 100km South Coast Ultra Challenge in support of The Robin Cancer Trust, the charity he founded after losing his brother Robin to testicular cancer at the age of just 24.

The challenge will also mark the conclusion of his long-running 'Big Ballsy Challenge', a campaign that has raised awareness of testicular cancer through humour and eye-catching fundraising events.

Mr Freeman, who founded The Robin Cancer Trust in 2012, said: "Robin was only 24 when we lost him, and that remains my motivation every day.

"This may be the final outing for the giant balls, but it's certainly not the end of our mission.

"We will continue doing everything we can to ensure more young men know the signs of testicular cancer and get diagnosed early."

Starting in Eastbourne, the route will take him along the Seven Sisters, through Brighton and across the South Downs to Arundel.

At the halfway point in Brighton, he will be joined by Andy, a testicular cancer survivor.

Together, they will complete the final 50km before handing over the now-famous costume at the finish line in Arundel.

Mr Freeman said: "It's incredibly fitting that the final stages of this challenge will be shared with someone whose life has been directly affected by testicular cancer.

"To finish alongside a survivor is a powerful reminder of why we started, and to give Andy and others the chance to continue raising awareness with the costume is so important."

Since launching the charity, Mr Freeman has completed more than 500km in the costume, including the London and Brighton Marathons.

His fundraising efforts earned him an invitation to Buckingham Palace to meet the King and Queen.

He has also been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award.

The Robin Cancer Trust continues to deliver awareness campaigns, educational programmes, and support initiatives across the UK, helping to save lives through earlier diagnosis and greater awareness of testicular and other germ cell cancers.

Entries are still open for the South Coast Ultra Challenge.

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