TWO senior Tameside Hospital surgeons are swapping the operating theatre for the mountains as they take on one of Europe’s toughest trekking challenges to raise money for local cancer care.
Mr Solkar, Cancer Lead at Tameside Hospital, and Mr Arora, Consultant Breast Oncoplastic and General Surgeon, will join friends and colleagues for the Tour du Mont Blanc from August 22 to 29.
The group will tackle six hikes in seven days, passing through France, Italy and Switzerland as they follow the route around the Mont Blanc massif.
Their trek will take in a series of demanding mountain passes, including the Col du Brévent, Col de la Seigne and Col des Fours, with steep climbs and rugged terrain expected to put their endurance to the test.
But there is a serious reason behind the adventure, with the group raising money for colorectal cancer services through Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity.
For Mr Solkar, the challenge follows a similar fundraising expedition last year when the group climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and raised more than £3,400 for the charity’s Breast Cancer Fund.
This time, their fundraising will support colorectal cancer care at Tameside Hospital – a cause close to home for the surgeons who see the impact of the disease on patients and their families.
Mr Solkar said: “After taking on Kilimanjaro last year, we were keen to challenge ourselves again while supporting another important cause. As surgeons, we see every day the difference that excellent care, resources and support can make to patients throughout their treatment journey.
“The Tour du Mont Blanc will be physically demanding but knowing that the funds raised will help support colorectal cancer services at Tameside Hospital makes every step worthwhile. We hope our local community will get behind us and help us make a real difference.”
The money raised will go towards projects funded by Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity which aim to enhance the experience of patients and staff beyond what can be provided through NHS funding.
That can include specialist equipment, wellbeing initiatives, care packages and improvements across hospital and community services.
Emily Whelan, Charity Manager at Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, said the group’s latest challenge demonstrated the commitment of NHS staff beyond their day-to-day roles.
“Mr Solkar, Mr Arora and their fellow trekkers have already shown what can be achieved through their successful Kilimanjaro fundraiser, and we’re incredibly grateful that they have chosen to support our colorectal cancer team this year,” she commented.
“The money they raise will help us continue funding projects and initiatives that directly benefit patients and families receiving care at Tameside Hospital. We wish them the very best as they prepare to take on this incredible challenge and thank everyone who chooses to support them.”
The Tour du Mont Blanc is regarded as one of Europe’s classic long-distance trekking routes, circling the Mont Blanc massif through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Alps.
For the Tameside surgeons and their fellow trekkers, however, the challenge will have a purpose beyond reaching the finish line.
Anyone wishing to support their fundraising can do so through their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/montblancforcancer