The Incredible Year of Challenges

The Incredible Year of Challenges

Giving Tuesday 2019

As 2019 is almost coming to an end and today is #GivingTuesday, we wanted to share a remarkable story of hope, family, and determination. Russell Silsbury-Basey has taken on a number of tough challenges to help raise awareness of myeloma, a form of blood cancer which sister Lorna was diagnosed with and for which there is currently no cure. His target was £1,500, but he has so far raised more than double.

Russell, now Chief Software Engineer, has worked for Zuken for 19+ years and he is part of the development team for eCADSTAR – the New Internet-Connected PCB Platform. Not afraid to take on new challenges, his personal motto: “Anything is Possible” applies in his personal and professional life.

Zuken colleagues have supported Russell with multiple donations on his JustGiving page, but also offering to train with Russell, to get him ready for ‘the seven challenges in seven months’.

Russell Story Myeloma eCADSTARRussell has won the British Triathlon South West “Athlete of the Year” and achieved 3rd place in the Kingswood Triathlon Club “Performance of the Year” award. His series of fundraising challenges for Myeloma UK included skydiving from 15,000ft in April 2019 and Ironman in hilly Tenby, South Wales in September, both of which took a lot of strength and courage.

We asked Russell to tell us what advice he would give other people wanting to support Myeloma UK. He told us, “Help when you can, do something wonderful for others and always look at life in a different way.”

eCADSTAR Myeloma RussellRussell’s journey is not finishing this year. He has already planned multiple running and cycling events for 2020: IronMan (2.4 miles swim, 112 miles cycle and 26.2 miles run in one busy day), Endure24 (100 miles run in 24h), Lands End Cycle (9 days to cover 1,000 miles) and many more.

Please join Russell in supporting a great cause and read more about his story: JustGiving