The two passions of a paediatric consultant who is also the Race Director of the Exeter Triathlon were combined in a presentation to the Rotary Club of Tiverton at a recent meeting in the Tiverton Hotel.
Dr Simon Parke who works with children who suffer from cancer at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital advised that one in 600 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer of various types and whilst it represents the most significant cause of death in children aged up to 16, in most cases it is curable with 82 per cent of children with the disease surviving five years after diagnosis with high-quality research achieving a 95 per cent success rate in children with leukaemia.
Dr Parke spoke of his involvement with the Make-a-Wish charity (https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk) which provides life endangered children with the realisation of their special wishes.
The complexity associated with cancer research, the endurance needed by children, the involvement of the community and families and the achievement of coming through their illnesses were all highlighted by Dr Parke who then suggested that complexity, endurance, community involvement and achievement could also be applied to his other passion in organising the Exeter Triathlon.
“The triathlon – combining swimming, cycling and running – is now the biggest group participation sport” he said, “and has been going for around 40 years since its inception in Kona Hawaii. Last year we had 470 participants in the Exeter triathlon. It is a sport where anyone can have a go and where participation is everything”.
This year’s Exeter Triathlon is on Sunday, May 12 and involves Tiverton where Rotarians assist in marshalling around the route. The Exeter Club has over 300 members including around 70 juniors, and Dr Parke will always be glad to hear of more adults and children who may wish to join (contact simonparke@sky.com)
Dr Parke was thanked for a vibrant and informative presentation by Rotarian Kevin Finan.
For further information about the work of Rotary International contact Tiverton Rotary Club Secretary, Andrea Rowe, on roweandrea@me.com or 01884 258820. The Club’s website is on tinyurl.com/tivertonrotary and is also on Facebook (“Rotary Club of Tiverton”).
