PICTURES: Oink! Oink! John O’Groats send off for pig-themed Citroen called Pigasso
A young farmer set out from John O’Groats with his support team on Sunday and is heading to Land’s End in a pig-themed car aptly named Pigasso.
Nathan Lister, a Suffolk farmer, is raising money for Cancer Research UK and Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he was treated for cancer but is now in remission.
“I’m an ex-cancer patient who’s decided to do something stupid to raise money for charity and I’ve got my Citroen Picasso that looks like a pig and is called Pigasso,” said Nathan.
“We’ve come up to John O’Groats and then we’re heading to Land’s End and back to home in Suffolk.”
Nathan said that in 2021 he “came over feeling tired” but he never thought the symptoms would lead to a diagnosis of cancer. He was told he had Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 22 and had to undergo 12 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, causing swollen lymph nodes and growths throughout the body.
“It was a shock but, strangely, Hodgkin lymphoma is most common with people in their early twenties. I was at stage three and it’s stage four when it starts attacking your bones – I avoided that luckily.
“Twelve rounds of chemo got me right and I’m two-and-a-half years in remission now. I still suffer a little bit and I’m not as fit as I was but I go in for regular checks.”
Nathan says he wants to give something back to the NHS as a thank you for his successful treatment. At John O’Groats on Sunday afternoon, there were six of his friends from Suffolk along for the ride in support vehicles.
“We’re all farmers but not strictly pig farmers though some of us do work around pigs,” he added.
The John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) trip will take around a week and Nathan also has experience as a mechanic which could be useful when dealing with what he admits is a spruced-up old banger.
Pigasso has been painted a strong shade of pink, has a snout plus ears and is decorated with multiple pieces of information about the charity trek.
The 25-year-old said that the JOGLE trek will go by “the scenic route” and meander through places to spread the word on the charity appeal.
Nathan’s journey can be followed via a dedicated Facebook page. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556191253930
Anyone wishing to donate to the charity fundraiser can find the JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/team/pigasso
At the time of going to press, the fundraiser appeal has already raised £8571 and has been supported by over 200 people donating to the good cause.
