21 October 2011

Where's Wallace? Dundee! - First stop for intrepid film maker's charity quest

Photocall & Interview Opportunity

When: 11.30am, Monday 24 October, 2011

Where: Dundee Cancer Centre, University of Dundee, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, Old Hawkhill, Dundee, DD1 5EH (Map)

Picture: Intrepid fundraiser Matt Wallace meets scientists in a laboratory of the Dundee Cancer Centre to learn about some of the cutting edge research taking place locally. It is Matt’s first stop along an epic 1500 mile walking journey that will see him visit 16 Cancer Research UK centres.

Contact on arrival: Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK Press Officer, on 07713 687200.

A dedicated fundraiser who gave up his job and his flat on his 30th birthday to embark upon an ambitious social media charity quest will visit researchers at the Dundee Cancer Centre today (Monday 24 October).

Matt Wallace has left behind his family and friends, his home and even his job, to walk the length and breadth of the country promoting the life-saving work which takes place at each of Cancer Research UK’s centres of excellence.

He hopes to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK as part of his ambitious Where’s Wallace? project, which saw him set off from John O’Groats exactly one month ago.

Matt was inspired to raise money for the charity when a very close family friend died from cancer in 2008.

During the course of his incredible six-month journey, he will walk in the region of 1,500 miles over six months, stopping off at the charity’s 16 research centres along the way.

As part of his visit to the Dundee Cancer Centre, he will film interviews with scientists and nurses as part of a series of videos he is making to showcase the cutting edge research that takes place there.

The videos, along with constant updates detailing Matt’s life on the road, will be available to view on his website and blog, www.whereswallace.org, and he'll also be keeping people informed via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Matt said: 'My visit to Dundee is very exciting and it marks the first of 16 visits to Cancer Research UK centres across the UK.

'The work of these scientists is amazing and they are at the cutting edge of research to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

'I've walked 250 miles to get to Dundee, through some horrible weather and difficult landscapes, but it feels brilliant to finally be here. I've met some incredibly kind, generous and supportive people along the way and I already owe a lot of thanks to a lot of people. I can only hope that the rest of my journey carries on as well as it's started.'

The Dundee Cancer Centre is a partnership between Cancer Research UK, the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, and researchers are focussed on developing new ways to treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer - particularly bowel, breast and skin cancers.

Dundee Cancer Centre’s senior research nurse, Dr Alison Harrow, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Matt to the Dundee Cancer Centre.

'We are looking forward to giving him a tour of a Cancer Research UK funded lab and the Clinical Research Centre to highlight the number of different scientists, doctors and nurses working together in Dundee to beat cancer.'

Matt left his job as a press officer at Nottingham Trent University on his 30th birthday and said goodbye to the luxury city centre apartment he calls home.

On his travels, he has been camping or relying on family, friends and generous supporters along the route for evening accommodation, a shower and food.

Matt added: 'Cancer Research UK relies on people from every corner of the UK to help them raise money as it doesn’t receive a penny from the government.

'I've realised, that for me, a paid job, a flat and material possessions aren't the be all and end all, and I'm in a very fortunate position to be able to do something like this.

'I've got no mortgage, no credit cards, or any other unavoidable responsibilities to worry about, so why not? Turning 30 seemed like the perfect moment.

'My aim is to raise as much money as humanly possible, while helping people to understand some of the amazing science Cancer Research UK uses that money to fund.'

To follow Matt’s incredible journey visit: www.whereswallace.org

For more information about the Dundee Cancer Centre and its activities visit: www.cancerresearchuk.org/dundee.

Notes for editors

Matt’s journey began on the 24th September at John O’Groats, Scotland. He is walking to each of the following cities to visit Cancer Research UK’s research centres that are based there.

• START - John O’Groats
• Dundee
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Leeds
• Manchester
• Liverpool
• Belfast
• Birmingham
• Cambridge
• London (3 centres)
• Southampton
• Oxford
• Cardiff
• FINISH - Lands End

About Cancer Research UK:
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.

The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.

Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last forty years.

Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.

Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK centres aim to establish a nationwide network of excellence that will provide the best possible outcomes for patients by linking research activity with patient care and public engagement. Each centre will focus on specific areas of research and aim to raise standards of care and forge links with local communities.

About the Dundee Cancer Centre:
The Dundee Cancer Centre is a partnership between Cancer Research UK, the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, which will translate state-of-the-art cancer research into improved public health and better outcomes for patients in Tayside and North East Fife.

Researchers at the Dundee Cancer Centre focus on developing new ways to treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer - particularly bowel, breast and skin cancers.

Work at the Dundee Cancer Centre will build on Dundee's world class research in life sciences, radiotherapy, surgery and new highly advanced image-guided surgical techniques.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902