Meet John Moss. Marathon runner, fundraising champion, and all-round top-bloke. John (70) recently organised The Dick Potts Memorial Marathon to coincide with the Orange Running Festival in NSW in memory of his dear friend Dick Potts who passed away from prostate cancer. The event raised over $14,000 for PCFA’s nursing program and support services, and created a lifetime full of memories.
Here’s John’s story in his own words:
Dick Potts lost his fight with prostate cancer at the age of 63 in September 2008.
Dick was a true champion whose life very much revolved around family and friends, his passion for sport, especially rugby, and his international career as an eminent mining engineer. Dick established a huge network of friends throughout the world who remember him with respect and great affection. This fact is reflected in the many generous donations I received around the world from people that knew Dick.
I first met from Dick in 1974 when I commenced my career as a mining engineer in Zambia after graduating from the Royal School of Mines in London – the RSM, a love of rugby and an occasional beer was something Dick and I had in common. Throughout our careers Dick and I also worked together in Oman, Mount Isa, and Tasmania. Not only did our families become very close but Dick became my inspiration and mentor.
Our friendship is demonstrated here in which Dick and I promoted our Rugby Club’s fun run in Oman in 1985(ish). This ‘Jetty Mile’ advertisement was screened throughout our town site TV system. Unsurprisingly, being screened in an Islamic community, it was only broadcast once. Surprisingly, we both kept our jobs with the Oman Mining Company!!
Since the time of Dick’s premature loss, my goal has been to honour Dick through this fundraising marathon timed soon after my 70th birthday. Until only a few months ago I would have completed the full 42km. I have run several marathons since turning 50 and keeping relatively fit has been focussed on this fundraiser.
For the Dick Potts Memorial Marathon, an arthritic knee ended up limiting me to an 27km run on the big day. I am gutted not to have completed the whole course to honour a great man – but know I gave it my all.
The marathon attempt will for ever stand out as a lifetime memory for me. Not only the totally exhausted and emotional elation of crossing the finish line, but the incredible support the day received from the Orange Running Festival organisers, friends and family. Five great mates from the Orange Runners Club with an average age of 74 ran the whole marathon course as a relay. The course design enabled me to accompany each of them part of the way which was very special.
Crossing the finish line with Dick’s daughter Lyndsay and her family is something that I will never forget, and neither will those who witnessed it.
My advice to any future fundraisers is to put their heart and soul into it. Be prepared to spend time up front identifying potential sponsors and then contact each one individually. I was moved by the number of people that got back to me thanking me for the ‘personal’ touch’ rather than a blanket email to a large group.
It was truly a great pleasure and privilege to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia in this way.
The medical advice I’ve been given since is that my running days are now over – but, bloody hell, what way to go out!
For support John’s efforts, visit: https://fundraise.pcfa.org.au/fundraisers/johnmoss
