SUPPORTERS of two cancer research campaigns will be going the extra mile this month.
Over the last three years, the local community has raised well over £140,000 for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Bowelbabe, inspired by Daniel Money and Abbie Collings.
Abbie, of Willsbridge, is currently receiving treatment for stage 4 bowel cancer.
Daniel, from Keynsham, died of stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer last year.
To raise funds for these good causes, two coffee morning will be held at Keynsham Cricket Club – on Friday April 17 for Bowelbabe (10am-12.30pm) and on Friday April 24 for CRUK (10am-12noon).
Then on Sunday April 26, supporters will be running in the London Marathon.
Daniel’s brother Joe Money and Daniel’s friend from Wellsway School, Tom Jenkins, are running for Daniel’s CRUK fundraising page.
All three of them played hockey together at Wellsway and at Keynsham Hockey Club. Tom, like Daniel, went on to study at Birmingham University, where they played against each other many times.
Joe was inspired to sign up for the London Marathon by the strength and resilience shown by Daniel in the last years of his life. Tom is running to celebrate Daniel’s sporting legacy while raising money for his chosen charity.
Meanwhile, Abbie Collings’ husband Paul Collings will run in the marathon with his brother Mark and friend Rich Wheeler as part of Team Bowelbabe.
Rich, who will be running in full firefighter’s kit, will get some preparation at a charity car wash on Saturday April 4 at Hicks Gate fire station, where he will run on a treadmill in full kit for six hours whilst volunteers and firefighters wash cars.
Paul, who will be running his second London Marathon, said of his wife: “Through Abbie’s positivity and determination, her cancer is being kept under control. This is a direct result of Cancer Research’s breakthroughs over recent years.
“Abbie has faced every setback with incredible strength and positivity. She’s a true and such a positive inspiration to everyone who knows her.”
Daniel started his Cancer Research UK fundraising page in February 2023 after he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer in November 2022.
Having attended Chandag and Wellsway schools in Keynsham, he studied medicine at Birmingham University and qualified as a doctor in July 2021.
Daniel lived with cancer for nearly three years, but treatment options ran out for him in May 2025. He died in Birmingham Hospice on September 11 last year, aged 27.
Fundraising for CRUK is continuing in Daniel’s name and there have so far been more than 50 events, the most recent being a race night at Keynsham Rugby Club on March 13, organised by Teresa Phillips.
Local businesses and individuals sponsored races and horses, as well as donating donated raffle prizes. The 100 tickets for the evening sold out within five days and the event raised £2,720.
The organisers would like to thank Bath Soft Cheese Shop and Café, Davies & Way, Heavenly Hedgerows, Homebakes, Keynsham Cricket Club, Newton Farm Shop, Pizza Adorare, Savour Farm Shop and Kitchen, Smallprints Bath, Saltford artist Fi Smith, Somerdale Pavilion, Wild About Flowers, among others.
To sponsor Joe, Tom, Paul, Mark and Rich in the London Marathon, please use the following links:
Joe Money – https://tinyurl.com/fhn4uypx
Tom Jenkins – https://tinyurl.com/2vv4yjpc
Paul Collings – https://tinyurl.com/yh7j75an
Pictured above, the race night held in aid of CRUK at Keynsham Rugby Club
Below, Mark, Abbie and Paul Collings, with Nicky, Mark and Paul’s sister – Paul and Mark will run in the London Marathon
Bottom, Joe Money, left, and Tom Jenkins, will also take part
