Terry Croft MBE, IST Chair, is undertaking the 10,000 steps challenge to raise funds for Cancer Research UK over March!
We have put together our first IST Podcast, so why not listen to what Terry is planning to and why.
The following information below is a script from the IST Podcast: Terry’s Walk All Over Cancer.
*Are you visually impaired, or just prefer to listen? Play the video above or scroll to the bottom to listen.
J-P:
“Hi everyone listening in the technical community and everyone who loves technicians out there. This recording is the very first of our podcast series at the IST. I’m J-P Ashton and this podcast interview is: Terry’s Walk All Over Cancer.”
“I am very pleased to say that Terry Croft, IST chair is joining us for our first podcast to talk about his steps challenge over March raising funds for the Charity, Cancer Research UK. Hi Terry!”
Terry:
“Hi J-P, Good to catch up with you again albeit on Zoom rather than over a cup of tea – hopefully we will be able to do those normal things soon.”
J-P:
“I couldn’t agree more, so let’s get things kicked-off. Welcome Terry, tell us a little bit about yourself?”
Terry:
“Well J-P, my story goes back many years to where my late Father starter my passion for all things chemical and technical. My children’s chemistry set, toy microscope and Meccano of course. So, my first job was working as a trainee technician with an agricultural chemical company making liquid fertilisers. That was it, I was hooked.
I undertook further training and qualifications over the coming years and after working for an international mining and metal extraction company as an analytical chemist, I moved into the university sector as a Chief Technician at the UoS.
I was fortunate to be mentored by great colleagues and friends and at the same time became a member of the IST where I was given a wider perspective on how to have a successful career. Since then, I moved through the ranks becoming Director of Operations. I was then funded to undertake the Technical Development and Modernisation project for the HE sector. The successful outcome resulted in the creation of the sectors National Technician Development Centre (NTDC) where I am still active today.
In my spare time, besides my work as Chair of the IST, I love to travel, enjoy walking and being amazed by our natural landscapes and the wildlife. I love tinkering with cars and enjoy watching live sport including motorbike racing. So, I’m looking forward to the pandemic restriction being lifted and getting back out there again.”
J-P:
“That’s great Terry, I’m sure we can all agree, we all ready for a little bit of normality back. I used to have a chemistry set myself. I used to put a tooth into a glass of water? It was a one molar solution…moving quickly on! Can you tell our listeners a little bit about why you decided to complete the 10,000 steps challenge every day this March for Cancer Research UK?”
Terry:
“Like most people you take your unwanted stuff to Charity shops in the hope it will help other people and the charities they represent. However, the pandemic stopped that, closed the shops and they had to cancel all fundraising public events. So, when I heard of this challenge which an individual could do and also as part of your daily exercise routine then I thought well maybe this is something I could do to help them in these difficult times. So, I contacted CRUK, and the process was easy and here we are having completed 15 days with 16 to go.”
J-P:
“It does sound straight forward which Is great and you’re practically half way there already! Fantastic. I wondered if I could ask next; from your personal or work life, has there been anyone in particular who has had an impact on your life due to the devastating effects of Cancer?”
Terry:
“Sadly, over the years, I have seen cancer effect family, friends and work colleagues and like most people it does have an impact on the way you think about things and the way you treat others. Cancer effects 1 in 2 people, which isn’t a good thought. Having seen friends and colleagues lose their battle against cancer and the brave and dignified way they fought the disease, you never forget these things. Our previous Chairman, John Robinson was one such person and we still remember all the excellent work he did for the IST and how he dedicated so much of his free time to supporting and promoting the technical community. I have tried to follow John’s example and hold those high standards and ethic in supporting our technical community. He certainly inspired me.”
J-P:
“John Robinson sounds like he was a very inspiring technician and IST Chair. Cancer is such an important topic so thank you for allowing us to interview you today. Where do you enjoy walking to?”
Terry:
“Obviously, like many others, I am restricted to where I can go due to the lockdown. However, I’m fortunate that I live near farmland and have a number of footpaths I can easily access. To date I have about 6 different routes that just get me over the 10,000 steps in one walk. Each one is a pleasure as you can see so many aspects of the natural world at close hand which you never see when driving.”
J-P:
“That sounds amazing Terry, it goes to show how beautiful our planet is if you stop to look around. How long does it take roughly to complete those 10,000 steps?”
Terry:
“On average it takes me about an hour and a quarter depending on weather. I don’t mind the rain but the wind, particularly the recent gales is tough. It takes your breath away in one direction, then blows on your back in the other making it difficult to keep your stride. But that’s part of the challenge.”
J-P:
“Hopefully the weather will start getting a little nicer and should allow you to keep up the progress. How is it that you are keeping track of your progress?”
Terry:
“Fortunately, this is done for me automatically. Cancer Research UK ask for permission to take live data from my Fitbit. They then log this and update my giving page every few hours. It also guarantees that you are doing what you say you are going, which I think is great as people are giving their hard-earned money to my campaign.”
J-P:
“That is a great way of tracking and gives you a certain amount of accountability. What is your advice to people out there if they are thinking about taking up a challenge for charity?”
Terry:
“Firstly, if it involves anything physical, then don’t assume you are fit as from experience you’re not as fit as you think you are! So do some training and ease yourself into the challenge. But it is so worthwhile. It may be only a small contribution to a campaign but at least you are doing something, and it also gets you off the sofa! Charities like this need our help and it benefits us all by the progress that has been made in fighting this terrible disease.”
J-P:
“Slow and steady wins the race has always been my motto! Yes every little helps when it comes to supporting our charities. Have you noticed any noticeable health benefits from walking every day?”
Terry:
“You mean besides the aching feet and muscles J-P!!! Definitely, you feel fitter. You’re eating and sleeping habits are improved and you feel better in yourself all round. I can highly recommend it.”
J-P:
“Sounds like I need to ‘step up’ my own game here Terry! I’m sorry I promise that will be the last one. On a serious note, can you tell our listeners a little more about the fantastic work of Cancer Research UK?”
Terry:
“Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity formed in February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Their pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Over the past 40 years survival rates have doubled. Consistent progress is being made but improvements to technology and ground-breaking work offer new opportunities to find different ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and improve survival rates even further. Their vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured from breast cancer to prostate cancer, thanks to the great progress research has made. I have seen this first-hand as my Mother-in-law is suffering with terminal cancer but with the progress in treatments she is still with us and determined as ever to fight this terrible disease.”
J-P:
“That sounds incredible and the progress they are making to one day reaching a cure for all cancers is outstanding. All the best to your mother-in-law Terry. Have you got any final comments you wish to tell our listeners?”
Terry:
“My final comment is just to say thank you to all the people that are supporting my campaign to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and for the encouragement to keep me going particularly when the weather gets tough.
So, a big thank you for Helping me Walk All Over Cancer and fund life-saving research through your donations to my funding page. Your support will make such a difference in these difficult times for these charities and the continued fight against cancer.”
J-P:
“Thanks ever so much Terry, it’s been great to hear from you and highlighted that all of us can make a difference no matter what the size of our contribution.
If you would like to donate to Terry’s Walk All Over Cancer Fundraising Page, or find out more about Cancer Research UK, you can click on the links provided in the video or on the IST webpages.
That’s all we have time for in our first podcast we hope you have enjoyed. If you’re interested in being featured in one of our future sessions then please contact the IST Office as we would love to hear from you.
Thanks for listening.
Bye for now.”