An Exmouth businessman is walking six marathons in six days, starting at Ladram Bay to raise money for Blood Cancer UK.

Jake Wood, 34 is embarking on this challenge in memory of his stepdad, Nige, who passed away from myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in 2023 at the age of 65.

Jake is the director of Seawood Yachts at Exmouth Marina. Businesses sponsoring the walk are: Watteva Ltd, ExeSigns, The Social Climber, His and Hers Motors, RecoverFit, Highfield Coachworks and Bextreme Personal Training

This walk is to raise awareness and funds for the charity, Blood Cancer UK. Nige battled for many years after his myeloma diagnosis, undergoing many tough treatment cycles.

Nige passed away in June 2023. On April 8, on the lead-up to Nige’s birthday and the spreading of his ashes, Jake will be attempting to walk six marathons in six days.

He will start from Ladram Bay in Devon, one of Nige’s favourite places. And finish at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care in Camberley who looked after Nige. And be joined by Amelia Bateman-Wood and Sara Fitzgerald. Donate to Jake's fundraiser here.

Jake said: "If you spoke to him directly, he was always so confident that he would beat it, always acting as if he was doing better than he actually was. This matched his character perfectly, a stoic and proud man but if you scratched the surface, found he had the softest heart.”

“I wanted to support Blood Cancer UK to help fund the vital work that they do towards the research in battling this horrific disease, which took Nige away from the whole family. I also wanted to support Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care who have done a great job of supporting my family since he passed away. It’s set to be an incredibly tough and emotional challenge for me, but in Nige’s memory I want to raise as much as possible for both charities so please support however you can.”

Rhia Stankovic, regional fundraising manager for the South West at Blood Cancer UK said: “Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with over 41,000 people being diagnosed every year. Jake’s six marathons in a week for Blood Cancer UK will help raise vital money to fund life-changing research and provide free support for anyone worried about or living with blood cancer.”