This blog was first published in Oct 2023. This 3rd Terry Fox Run is in Bellevue Park on 4th October 2026.
Four lads are sitting in a studio. It's This Morning. They are being interviewed by Andi Peters and Rochelle Holmes. The Four lads are from Wrexham. The Welcome to Wrexham programe has catapulted them into the limelight. These lads are the Declan Swans. And during the interview Michael Hett, known to many as Scoot, the lead singer and wordsmith of the Swans, mentioned a charity gig for the Terry Fox Foundation. The Disney/FX TV show has helped many people from the Wrexham area, it's raised their profile, boosted their self esteem, but it also helped the Terry Fox foundation and answers why we've seen Scoot wearing a Terry Fox tee shirt in central London earlier in the year and being called an honorary Canadian for the day.
So I'm sitting in a park on a warm summer night having a catch up with Wendy. She married to Scoot. She also has the unenviable task of managing the band. She's running through a list of gigs, I'm trying to find alternative angles for content. She mentions a Terry Fox foundation gig at the Turf. Scoot recently travelled to London as guest of the Terry Fox foundation. And it got me thinking, who is Terry Fox. Two hours later I'm down a Terry Fox rabbit hole on YouTube and boy, I now know why Canadians hold him in such high regard.
Terry Fox was a cancer sufferer who lost his leg to this horrible disease, but during his treatment he saw the pain and suffering of other patients and decided to do something about it. He would run from one side of Canada, some 4700 miles, to the other. He'd run a marathon a day, every day until completed. It captured the heart of the nation. At first it was a lonely run, just him followed by his mate Doug Alward in a camper van, but as the publicity grew, the crowds and fundraising increased.
However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 3,339 miles, Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22.
This tragic event has left a legacy. Fundraising for cancer research continues in his name to this day. Over £500 million has been raised to date across the world in his name. The fight continues.
I contacted Neil Johnson, the chairman of the UK branch of the foundation. He tells me the Terry Fox Run was started by Izzy Sharp, the founder of the Four Seasons hotel chain. In the UK, the Four Seasons helped organise the run throughout the 1980's and 90's. However the London run stopped in 2007 until Neil himself restarted it, and to quote him.
"To ensure the UK never forgets Terry Fox again we have a number of runs across the UK this year, and do events (like Wrexham) to spread the legend of Terry Fox and what he means for cancer patients and Canadians in general. He is our inspirational hero".
So why Wrexham? Why Scoot? He's part of a triangle.
During an episode of Welcome to Wrexham, the brilliant TV series that's propelled the town into the spotlight, we all saw the story of Scoot's battle with cancer. We saw how the brilliant surgeons and nurses helped him beat this horrible disease. The Declan Swans have always helped at charity gigs. I've been there when they've put their fee directly into a charity bucket. I was there when they played for St Christophers school prom . They give back to the community that's supported them. Neil contacted Scoot to help highlight the work the foundation does.
And the triangle is completed by the Wrexham afc co-owner Ryan Reynolds, one of Canada's finest exports. He's backed the Terry Fox Foundation and this year worked with the Foundation to co-design this year’s T-shirt. Each year is a different design, and here he is wearing the 2023 tee shirt. “
The perfect triangle fighting cancer. Neil Johnson also mentioned that the foundation has never organised a run in Wales. North Wales has had such a boost from the TV programme, and usually charities and corporations would only consider Cardiff to launch any Welsh operation. Thankfully, due to Ryan, Rob and the exposure of our great town, Wrexham is now considered, and sometimes prioritised before Cardiff. Let's hope Neil can arrange something to honour Terry Fox in our home town.
So while the football team has improved, the lives of others have improved, whether it be a local band who played in front of 20,000 at the Kings of Leons gig, local venues full before each game, local hotels full, and restaurants packed. The town has a special buzz about it. Even local charities are benefiting, especially with American Wrexham fans who are helping fund the local Foodbank. The purchase of Wrexham has benefitted so many people and that includes the Terry Fox Foundation.
So come along to the Turf, sing some songs, drink some beer.......but please buy one of these Ryan Reynolds designed shirts and help the Terry Fox Foundation continue the fight towards beating this horrible disease.
If you cannot attend, fear not. There will be a full review of the night on here. Please subscribe and if you want the review before anyone else, please consider a paid subscription. From only about 70p a week, a bargain. Videos and pictures from the night will be on Music and Sport WXM Facebook page, as well as the Declan Swans page. Please subscribe to both.
The Terry Fox Foundation