Prominent journalists Matt Barbet and Louise Minchin will participate in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 event this Sunday. They will ride in Glasgow, aiming to raise crucial funds for Prostate Cancer UK and honouring two esteemed broadcast colleagues lost to the disease.
Barbet will remember his close friend, former Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan. Murnaghan sadly passed away in July after being diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer the previous summer.
The pair shared a 15-year friendship, often cycling together around North London, Surrey, and Essex. Barbet revealed a heartbreaking final message from Murnaghan, who participated in the inaugural Tour de 4 event last year.
“This ride means so much to me,” Barbet stated. He emphasised Murnaghan’s dedication to Prostate Cancer UK’s vital work. Barbet strongly encourages men concerned about their prostate health to consult their GP or use the quick online risk checker on the Prostate Cancer UK website. “It takes 30 seconds and might just save your life,” he added.
Meanwhile, former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin will pay tribute to her dear friend Bill Turnbull. Turnbull, another cherished broadcast figure, died from prostate cancer in 2022, four years ago this week.
Minchin will return for her second year at the event, joined by fellow BBC presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. She highlighted Turnbull’s courage in speaking about his diagnosis, which ultimately saved lives. “He was funny, mischievous and made me laugh every day,” Minchin recalled.
The Tour de 4 event was founded by Olympian Sir Chris Hoy. He received a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis in 2023 and learned it was terminal a year later.
Sir Chris stated the mission is simple: “to show that you can live well with stage four cancer.” The event also seeks to raise vital funds for cancer patients. He is actively campaigning for a national prostate cancer screening programme, noting its absence despite it being a major cancer. The Prostate Cancer UK Transform trial is already progressing this goal.
This year’s event will feature various routes starting from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Fundraising efforts will support five major UK cancer charities: Breast Cancer Now, Cure Leukaemia, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s, and Prostate Cancer UK, with general donations split equally.
Other notable participants include Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave and Lady Ann Redgrave, former Scotland rugby star Kenny Logan, and astronaut Tim Peake, all representing Prostate Cancer UK. Every pedal stroke will significantly benefit men and their families, Sir Chris affirmed.
