How 'fantastic' supporters helped Sunderland cancer battler smash charity run target before he took a step

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Fifty-one-year-old Roger Miller, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in November, decided to join Cancer Research UK’s Run 56 Miles Challenge after an operation was delayed for at least a month because of the ongoing pandemic.

Roger, a former pupil at Sunderland’s Hill View, Southmoor and Bede schools, initially hoped to raise £350 for the charity by running an average of two miles every day in February.

But wellwishers quickly donated more than £2,000 before the end of January.

Roger Miller, originally from Sunderland, has thanked supporters for helping him smash his original charity running target before he even took a step.

A grateful Roger, who was a keen runner before his diagnosis, said he was “overwhelmed” by the support for his appeal and added: “The response has been fantastic. I am totally astonished by everyone’s generosity.

"It has put the pressure on and made me more motivated to make sure that I complete the challenge.

"It is the first time I have done something like this and I wasn’t too sure what to expect.

"But we have totally smashed it already and I just want to thank everyone for donating what they can.”

Sunderland-raised Roger Miller is raising money for Cancer Research UK by running an average of two miles a day throughout February 2021.

Father-of-four Roger’s condition means that he may not be able to run two miles every day.

He said: “One day I am feeling really good and the next day I am feeling terrible.

“So it might be case of running four to six miles on my good days so that I can stay in credit.

"I did four miles on February 1 so I got ahead on the first day.”

The fire safety manager, who lives in London with Danish partner Nana and their children, remains positive about his upcoming operation.

Roger, who is originally from the Tunstall area of Sunderland, said: “The doctors have said that the intention is to cure. They have also said that I am the perfect candidate for surgery due to being fit and relatively young'.”

Donations can be made via his Roger Miller Facebook page.

Further details about the Cancer Research UK challenge are available at www.cancerresearchuk.org/run56challenge-faqs.

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