Gold bikes will pop up across Bude as part of an awareness campaign by cancer charity.

Talan’s Trust is a cancer awareness charity which was set up after Talan Penny, an 18-year-old Bude local who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a type of soft tissue sarcoma that grows in active muscles of the body, sadly passed away. The trust now carry out a number of awareness and fundraising campaigns in aid of those with the same condition.

On Wednesday, August 31, Talan’s Trust will take to Bude town centre, covering the town with golden bicycles as part of the Go Gold campaign ahead of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Sarah Penny, chair of the trust said: “After last year’s success of five gold bikes being placed around Bude we are thrilled to increase them to 15 this year. The bikes have been donated by the public and sprayed gold again by Bude Body Repairs.”

September marks the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, in which cancer charities across the UK focus on increasing the awareness of cancer in children. The month is marked by the wearing of a golden ribbon, something which the bikes across Bude will hope to match.

“Businesses in Bude were asked if they’d like to sponsor a bike and all their details are on each gold bike along with the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer for parents and caregivers to photograph. On the front is a photograph of Talan Penny to whom the Trust is dedicated,” explained Sarah.

Talan sadly passed in 2017 following his battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Since his passing, the charity has raised more than £100,000 for potentially lifesaving scientific research into RMS.

“We are thrilled that this year all local schools are having a gold bike to display and many are having a gold day to raise money for the Trust. Bude Juniors and Budehaven, Stratton, Marhamchurch, Jacobstowe and Kilkhampton are all involved.”

While bikes will be scattered across the town, the trust will be in the triangle from 6pm with awareness cards, available for a chat and offering merchandise, from which funds will go towards this vital cause.

“All our profits go to research into Rhabdomyosarcoma the cancer Talan died from.

“Talan’s Trust also asked businesses in Bude to Go Gold for September and decorate a window, we are delighted so many are involved. All participating shops will have a poster displayed,” said Sarah.

Sarah also went on to express how important fundraising like this is, she said: “Childhood Cancer is sadly the biggest killer of children in the UK barring trauma and we hope to educate everyone that is in daily contact with children, early diagnosis is key.

“And why gold? The symbol of a gold ribbon was coined some years ago, after all, are our children not more precious than gold?”