Joined by his 8 year old son, Leo, for the last leg, Rob completed the challenge on Monday 5th May.
Rob’s final steps brought an emotional end to a campaign that aims to raise more than £5,000 for Baggy Trousers UK, a volunteer-led charity that supported him through his own cancer journey. Diagnosed with testicular cancer on his 39th birthday in December 2020, Rob has since become Chair of the charity, and a passionate advocate for early detection and men’s mental health.
“This was without doubt the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever faced, but it’s been incredibly rewarding,” said Rob. “Every kilometre was for a man who will hear those words, ‘you’ve got cancer’ and for the families who will walk that path with them. If just one more person checks themselves or books a doctor’s appointment after hearing my story, then it’s all been worth it.”
Rob now regularly gives talks, both in-person and online, for Baggy Trousers UK, speaking candidly about his experience with cancer and encouraging other men to open up about their mental and physical health. His previous sessions have had tangible, life-saving outcomes, with attendees later reporting that they found lumps and sought medical help early.
“I’m urging businesses, especially in male-dominated industries like construction, to bring these conversations into the workplace,” Rob continued. “We need to normalise talking about men’s health. Guys have found lumps after these talks. They’ve caught cancer early. We need more of that. We need to encourage men to ‘have the guts to check your nuts’.
This latest endurance challenge isn’t Rob’s first. One year after his diagnosis, he completed a 14-day duathlon, running 8 miles and cycling 18 miles each day, raising over £10,500 for Cancer Research UK.
With the 2,400km milestone now behind him, Rob is setting his sights on expanding his awareness work and reaching even more men with his message: check yourself, talk about it, and don’t wait.
How to Support Rob’s Challenge & Book a Talk
- Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/robert-roughley-1702297175264?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EM
- Book a Talk: Rob is available for in-person or virtual talks on testicular cancer and mental health. Contact him via rob@baggytrousersuk.org
Churngold Construction is proud to support Rob’s mission and encourages local businesses to help spread the word about testicular cancer awareness.