The daughter of late broadcaster and ever-popular Wycombe Wanderers fan, Bill Turnbull, has said she will run the London Marathon in his memory.
Flora Turnbull wants to raise awareness of prostate cancer after the former BBC Breakfast presenter passed away at the age of 66 in August last year.
She announced the news on Wednesday, January 25 on what would have been the journalist’s 67th birthday.
As we remember Bill Turnbull on what would have been his 67th birthday, we're thrilled to support his daughter Flora's marathon effort for @ProstateUK.@bluntphil spoke to Flora this week for a special interview about why she's taking on the challenge in her dad's memory. pic.twitter.com/TtyJITRSWL
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 25, 2023
READ MORE: BBC Breakfast host and Wycombe fan Bill Turnbull dies aged 66
Her father, who was an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, died at his home in Suffolk after a ‘challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer’, his family said in September.
Flora told BBC Breakfast: “Losing dad was such a huge thing for us, and our family obviously.
“I think, first of all, I wanted to have a purpose this year and to remember Dad in the most purposeful way possible, and this felt like I could pay tribute to him in a way that was personal for him because he ran the marathon a few times and also in a way to highlight this cause for Prostate Cancer UK.”
She has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, which funds research, awareness, and support.
Today would have been Bill Turnbull's 67th birthday.
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) January 25, 2023
In his memory, his daughter Flora will run this year's London Marathon to help us fund lifesaving research. 💙
Support her fundraising here: https://t.co/nzEIMhwqzQ pic.twitter.com/pEMnaEHdim
READ MORE: Wycombe prepare to say goodbye to the great Bill Turnbull
At this present moment, £6,844 has been raised of her £7,000 target.
She added: “He was the most wonderful dad, he was everything you would want a father to be.
“He was fun, he was gregarious, he was like he was on television, he was great to be around.
“He could also be grumpy in the best way possible, where we would all tease him and he would tease us.
“He was the real light of our lives really, and he was the centre of our family so losing him has been a huge, huge loss for us, but equally I feel so incredibly lucky to have him as a father.”
“I think he was a very empowering father and he wanted me to feel like I had that inner strength, so I really feel that exemplifies what he was like as a dad.”
READ MORE: LOOKING BACK: Photos of Bill Turnbull at Adams Park during a 2016 visit
Today would have been the great Bill Turnbull's 67th birthday.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 25, 2023
Bill's daughter Flora will be running the London Marathon this year in his memory, raising funds for @ProstateUK.
Please donate what you can, and raise a glass to a #Chairboys legend.
We miss you, Bill.
Bill was best known for co-hosting BBC Breakfast between 2001 and 2016, alongside commentating on his beloved Wycombe Wanderers on BBC 3 Counties Radio.
He also received an honorary degree from Buckinghamshire New University in 2014 for his charity work within the county.
To help Flora reach her goal, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/flora-turnbull-london-marathon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here