Josie helps launch 'Baton for Yorkshire' campaign

The baton will now travel across 35 Yorkshire locations throughout May, carried by people with cancer, researchers and charity supporters, in recognition of the 35,000 people diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire each year.

Among the first to take part was Josie Clark, from the Bridlington area, who helped lead the launch of the relay as the Baton for Yorkshire set off on its journey across Yorkshire. She was joined by the Active Together team and people from the charity.

Josie then passed the baton to Dr Cecilia Pompili and a team of researchers at the Hull York Medical School, who are pioneering a new clinical trial for people with lung cancer in Hull and Leeds. Funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, the study will explore whether exercise during treatment can help more people go on to have life-saving surgery.

For Josie, carrying the Baton for Yorkshire is a way to enjoy time outdoors and reclaim moments she lost to her cancer.

After finding a lump on her leg in May 2025, 60-year-old Josie was told she had nodular melanoma, a fast-growing type of skin cancer. Following surgery in June to remove the lump, Josie went for a check-up scan in August, which showed the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.

Josie said: “Within a matter of weeks, I had a lump the size of a golf ball. Thankfully, the immunotherapy I had to treat it shrank it down to basically nothing. I feel grateful for cancer research which has helped develop treatments like this. It’s been intense, but I like to keep positive.”

Before Josie was diagnosed with cancer, she was an avid runner, competing in various 5k races with her friends. Since turning 57, Josie had also attended 96 parkruns, a beloved part of her weekly routine she sadly had to give up during treatment.

Josie continued: “I love getting out in the fresh air and the adrenaline of being active. My favourite part of parkrun is the coffee afterwards. Exercise brings everyone together – you get to know those who attend and make real friends. It’s a lovely social event.

“The Yorkshire coast and countryside is a wonderful place to walk. It’s very rural where I live, with lots of trails along water, and I like what it does for your mind; walking is so mentally beneficial for you.”