Sunny Sandwich, the three-legged Bulgarian rescue, has embarked on a mammoth 100km walk around Bedford in aid of patients with incurable blood cancer.
Sunny (for short) and owners Kat McGregor and Henry McGinty, from the Queens Park area, are tackling the 100km Lost in Lapland challenge in aid of Myeloma UK, a blood cancer charity dedicated to funding vital research into treatment and, ultimately, a cure.
The trio set off on their virtual race through Lapland on December 1 and are aiming to reach the finish line on Christmas Eve. They’ve completed 24km and raised £212 for Myeloma UK so far.
Sunny was rescued by Kat and Henry two months ago from a Bulgarian shelter.
The pup had lost one of his legs after being hit by a car when he was around five months old.
Sunny, Kat and Henry were told, was found injured and starving by a nine-year-old and her mother. The little girl named him Sunny Sandwich (in Bulgarian) because “his face was golden like the sun and she fed him sandwiches all the way to the shelter.”
“Sunny is the one in charge of Lost in Lapland. We’re trying to do 4km a day until the 24th of December, sometimes we do more at the weekend. We’re going by Sunny’s energy level. I keep laughing with Henry that Sunny is Beyoncé and we’re just his producers in the background, making sure he gets the credit for all the walking.”
Myeloma UK is close to Kat’s heart as she works as the charity’s scientific knowledge and communications officer, a role which sees her provide patients with crucial information about treatments, clinical trials and new research.
“Since starting at Myeloma UK, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do and the amazing community of supporters I’m proud to be part of. From bringing patients and loved ones together to talk about their experiences to investing in pioneering research to transform the treatment of myeloma, their work is vital.”
Myeloma occurs in the bone marrow and currently affects over 24,000 people in the UK.
It is a relapsing-remitting cancer, meaning that although many patients will experience periods of remission following treatment, the disease will inevitably return.
Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, it is especially difficult to detect as symptoms, including back pain, easily broken bones, fatigue and recurring infection, are often linked to general ageing or minor conditions.
While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. Treatment is aimed at controlling the disease, relieving the complications and symptoms it causes, and extending and improving patients’ quality of life.
To support Sunny, Kat and Henry, go to https://fundraise.myeloma.org.uk/fundraisers/katmcgregor/lost-in-lapland
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