A Harlow man is set to take on the South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge this weekend in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital, raising vital funds to help build a new Children’s Cancer Centre.
David Lynch, 30, who originally comes from Harlow in Essex but now lives and works in Minehead, will join around 1,500 participants tackling the South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge along the spectacular Exmoor and North Devon coastline. The event offers 50km, 25km and 10km route options for runners, walkers and joggers.
David has already raised nearly £4,000 through his fundraising efforts for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), a cause that holds deep personal significance.
He said: “The words ‘your child’ and ‘cancer’ are words that should never be in the same sentence. Unfortunately, there are families who have had to hear the dreaded words ‘your child has cancer’. Even if only one family is told that, it is one family too many.”
David chose to support GOSH because of its work helping children and families facing cancer diagnoses.
He added: “As far as I’m concerned, the words ‘child’ and ‘cancer’ should never be in the same sentence. For me, even if only one family has been told this, that is one family too many.
“Cancer also has a great personal significance in my family, as my uncle was diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas 2025. So I feel that by raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital so they can build their Children’s Cancer Centre, I’m not only helping families with sick children, but I’m also in a roundabout way helping my uncle.”
The South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge takes place on Saturday 25 July and follows some of the most dramatic scenery in the South West, taking participants along sections of the South West Coast Path with panoramic views across the Bristol Channel. The event starts and finishes near Dunster and Minehead.
David’s fundraising page has already attracted significant support from friends, family and the local community as he prepares to take on the challenge. To support, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/david-lynch-11
Organisers say the event is expected to generate substantial charitable fundraising while bringing visitors from across the UK to the region.
Entries are still available. Visit: www.ultrachallenge.com/sw-coast-50/
