A SUPPORT group with a difference is coming to Nova Prestatyn on the last Saturday of every month.

People living with and beyond cancer in the Denbighshire and Conwy areas are being encouraged to move more as part of an initiative called “5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer” (www.5kyourway.org).

This initiative is delivered by the “MOVE” cancer charity.

The “5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer” group invites those living with and beyond cancer, their families, friends and those working in cancer services to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun on the last Saturday of every month then socialise after over drink and cake in the Nova café.

Its first event is to take place tomorrow (June 25).

A spokesperson for the event said: “In short, we are an active coffee morning combining fresh air, movement and socialising.

“Physical activity has been shown to have a number of important benefits for people living with cancer.

“It reduces cancer-related fatigue, helps to preserve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and improves psychological wellbeing.

“It may also reduce treatment side effects, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and prolong survival.

“However, despite these benefits, a NHS report found that only 23 per cent of people living with cancer achieve the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity five times per week.

“The ‘5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer’ initiative linked to parkrun, provides the opportunity to do this.”

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The Nova Prestatyn group is run by volunteer ambassadors, including Stephen Whittingham.

Stephen has been the catalyst for “5K Your Way” coming to Prestatyn; as soon as he mentioned wanting to start a group, he had the full support of his family and regular parkrun volunteers.

His wife, Cathy, said: “Sadly, we as a family know only too well how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be.

“In January, we got the worst news possible: Steve was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.

“We were already keen parkrunners and part of the core team of volunteers at Nova Prestatyn parkrun (even though we live in Macclesfield) and are very much aware of how important the benefits of exercise can be.

“Steve has found exercise, even a small amount, has helped to reduce cancer-related fatigue and helped him cope to continue working in his physical job.

“I have found the camaraderie and social aspect of parkrun has been a great support to me.

“We have been overwhelmed with the support form our parkrun ‘family’ and hope this will help others in similar circumstances.”

“We were thrilled to learn of 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer,” added Stephen.

“It’s a national initiative which combines a cancer support group with parkrun.”

“5k Your Way” was founded by oncology consultant and 12-times ironman champion Lucy Gossage and Gemma Hillier-Moses, international runner and founder of MOVE, who was diagnosed with cancer herself at the age of 24 in 2012.

Those interested in joining the group are encouraged to register with “5k Your Way” and parkrun before meeting at 8.45am on the last Saturday of every month.

The Nova café has plenty of seating inside and outside and there will be ambassadors in each area.

The meeting point is at the entrance of Nova Leisure Centre (just inside if wet or cold).

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/novaprestatyn5kyourway.