Published: Wednesday, 29th October, 2008 12:30
Mechanic's 1000-mile rally after cancer op
By Hamish Hutchinson
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George Murray completed the Enduro Africa Challenge just a couple of weeks after undergoing an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.
A MECHANIC took part in the world’s toughest endurance motorbike trek just weeks after undergoing an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.
George Murray was supposed to be resting from the procedure but instead was negotiating 1000 miles of rugged terrain along South Africa’s ‘Wild Coast’.
The 41-year-old, from Tullibody, was one of a team of four from Alloa’s A1 Autos who took part in the Enduro Africa challenge which was recently made famous by Princes William and Harry.
The Princes set off on the return leg of the challenge last week from Port Elizabeth to Port Edward.
However, eight weeks previously George’s chances of taking part in the “once in a lifetime event” looked bleak.
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and soon after went under the knife to have the tumour and testicle removed.
Following the operation doctors remained positive and told him to rest before he could commence on a course of radiotherapy – but the workshop foreman was having none of it.
For months he had been planning for the gruelling motorcycle challenge with his work colleagues and he wasn’t going to let a cancer scare stop him.
He said, “It was upsetting when I was first diagnosed with cancer but it was only a week between getting diagnosed and the operation.
“Initially I pulled out of doing the challenge as the doctor said I shouldn’t go, but a couple of weeks after the operation I decided, well why not – my scar had healed and I felt fine.
“My wife was really supportive too. She told me I should do it after what I’d been through and what I was about to go through.
“If you get cancer you hope it’s only a once in a lifetime thing but the challenge really is a once in a lifetime event.”
George journeyed to South Africa on 2 October for the start of the punishing eight-day off-road trek along the Eastern Cape.
He joined about 100 other riders and battled river crossings, thunder storms and rugged mountain ranges in the annual challenge which raises money for Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
George even had to contend with injury after he hurt his leg during the trip and had to rest for two days.
It wasn’t long, however, before he was back on his bike and made it across the finish line.
George said, “By the time we were finished it was physically exhausting although I’m glad I did it. The whole experience was fantastic and you really appreciate what you’ve got back home when you see the way some people live out there.”
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