A SELFLESS Launceston resident has helped raise thousands for a vital cancer charity, all while busting some moves.  

Back in 2017, Launceston resident, Gareth Lancaster was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma – a form of bone cancer. In the following five years after his diagnosis, Gareth travelled across the country to the Queen Elizabeth and Royal Orthopaedic Hospitals in Birmingham to have a total of five major operations.  

Gareth has experienced a number of operations and treatments in an effort to tackle his cancer diagnosis
Gareth has experienced a number of operations and treatments in an effort to tackle his cancer diagnosis (Submitted)

Operations removed large tumours, Gareth’s bladder, prostate, coccyx, and large parts of his pelvic bone. However, despite these major surgeries, the tumours continued to return. With there being no medical treatment for Chondrosarcoma, other than operating, Gareth now lives day to day.  

Speaking to the Post, he explained: “The tumours in my pelvis are massive and at some point will cause catastrophic damage to my bowels, or spine or blood supply to the legs. I live day to day on a cocktail of very strong painkillers, but still work three days a week from home as a picture editor for TV Times (I've worked for the same company since 1999). I have a wife Hayley who is amazing and three very strong children, Grace (21), Harry (13) and Willow (10) and the support of a lot of family and friends which goes a long way to helping with day to day life.”  

Despite the daily struggles which Gareth faces, he continuously worked to help others, holding a number of charity events, raising money for Sarcoma UK.  

Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma and campaigns for better treatments. The charity’s mission is to ensure everyone affected by sarcoma receives the best treatment, care, information and support available and to create the treatments of the future. 

Sarcoma UK has helped more than 1,400 individuals who use our support services an average of three times since we launched it in February 2016, and the charity is now one of the biggest funders of sarcoma research in the UK, having invested more than £6.8-million in 87 research projects to date. 

With this vital charity in mind and hoping to help those in the hardest of times, after recovering from his first operation, teaming up with friends at Launceston Velo cycling group, he completed a charity ride, cycling from Launceston to London, raising around £22,000.  

Gareth and the Launceston Velo team raised more than £22,000 for Sarcoma UK in 2018
Gareth and the Launceston Velo team raised more than £22,000 for Sarcoma UK in 2018 (Submitted)

Since then, Gareth, his friends and family have continued to raise money for Sarcoma UK.  

He explained: “Amy Mellows doing a charity bike ride, Kerry Holland doing a sponsored walk, Kirsty Knight and her mum Claire did an 100km ultra walk, Sarcoma UK is St Josephs School charity of the year, Firebrands regular quiz profit is currently going to Sarcoma UK and on the list goes on and on.  

“Launceston has raised a huge amount of money for the charity.”  

Now, hoping to raise even more, Gareth got the town moving with a charity disco night in the town hall.  

He continued: “A few years ago, I wanted to get back into DJing and along with Mark Knight and Rob Ramplin started a thing that we called Saturday Night Dance Club. We liked to play our own style of ‘Funky House Music’ and had a few great nights at Firebrand, The Wyldes and at Sheb Fest.” 

After the success of their Funky House nights, the team thought they could put these tunes to good use, raising money for the charity close to Gareth’s heart.  

In 2023, the trio hosted their first charity night, inviting residents to Launceston Town Hall to enjoy music, dance moves and a bar.  

After its great success, having raised more than £1,200, 2024 marked the time to get the band back together and raise even more for charity.  

Launceston Town Hall was packed for the occasion
Launceston Town Hall was packed for the occasion (Submitted)

Gareth explained: “It went so well and the people of Launceston loved it, so we thought we had to do it again! I set about organising it and no surprise, the tickets for the night sold out several weeks before the event.” 

For this years event, four DJs took to the Saturday Night Dance Club, Mark Knight, Rob Ramplin, Eric Walpole and Gareth himself.  

The night was a huge success, taking people back to the Launceston of 20 years prior
The night was a huge success, taking people back to the Launceston of 20 years prior (Submitted)

A night of dance, smiles and fun all round.  

Gareth continued: “Steve Rogers did a great job on the door, not that there was any trouble to deal with. Firebrand ran the bar brilliantly and mayor Helen Bailey very kindly let us have the hall for free, so we were able to raise even more money this year. 

“It looks like the total is around £2,100. Not bad for a nights partying with friends!  

“It was great to see the town so alive before the event too, people in the pubs, bars, restaurants, the town had a buzz about it, like a night in Launceston 20 years ago would have.”