An East Kilbride dad will take on a charity 10K on Father’s Day as he bids to raise money based on his own experiences with skin cancer. 

Dad-of-two David Kendall (57), who suffers from a skin condition called Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD), hopes his efforts will boost the funds of the British Skin Foundation by £1000.

The illness is a rare cancer-related condition which is characterised externally by a chronic eczema-style rash of the skin in the anogenital regions, and in David’s case, the groin area.

David works in programme management within EDF Energy in East Kilbride and he and wife Sue have twin children, Emma and Thomas (25).

He was diagnosed with EMPD around a year ago.

The Kendall family have previously collected significant amounts for Cancer Research following Sue’s recovery from breast cancer in 2009.

The Glasgow Men’s 10k heads along the River Clyde from the starting line at the Riverside Transport Museum. It takes runners through the city before ending in George Square.

David sees the run as a way to boost his fitness, as well as raising huge sums of money.

“I am doing the 10k because I set myself this as one of my goals at the start of my journey to improve my fitness,” said David.

“With my family medical history and some personal health challenges at the time it was suggested to me around four years ago at a works medical that losing some weight and improving my overall health was important.

“Although I had always enjoyed walking our dogs I really needed to up my game so I started attending the gym for cardiac workouts with my son Thomas, who is very fit having lost a lot of weight himself.

“The last year has been a bit more challenging since the EMPD was diagnosed but I managed to maintain the focus on keeping my fitness levels up, which has been a great help in maintaining my motivation.

“After my latest surgery I felt that I needed an incentive to be ready for the 10k - raising funds for the BSF has provided a great driver for me to take part in the race because I know that the money will make a real difference.

He has set himself the target of finishing in under an hour and thinks the thought of the run has helped him battle past the pain barrier.

“The training has gone pretty well so far as my overall fitness levels are so much better than they were a few years back.

“I don’t always feel like it but the thought of successfully completing the race and the fundraising certainly helps keep me going through the aches and pains.

“The truth is that I have found a real feel-good factor that goes with keeping fit, so maintaining the routine is important no matter how you feel.

“My target time for completing the 10k is around an hour but I might have to accept that this will be tight for me at present.

“It is also a bit of an unknown as it will be my first ever race and I know that it will be different to running on my own or in the gym.”

To support David go to www.justgiving.com/davidkendall10k.

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