Our team and investors are made up of a diverse group of people that bonded over a shared passion. We're the team that has grown Battle Cancer, a fitness fundraising movement of events in countries across the world.
After working together for a number of years and forming a tight friendship, we decided to take our love for fitness one step further and fulfil the dream of our own gym.
Move Forward Gym is a completely separate business and it's own entity, but it's roots are in Battle Cancer.
Below, our seven investors share their stories and why they're passionate about Move Forward Gym.
Simon Green
Infrastructure Manager, Bearded CrossFitter, Roller Skate Pro
The opportunity to support the Move Forward Gym and see the difference it will make to people is an honour
At the start of a Battle Cancer events, the athletes are often asked to put their hand up if they or someone they know has been affected by cancer. At every single event, I look around and everyone’s hand is in the air including mine.
My father has had skin cancer for years, but with amazing surgeons, you can not even see a mark on his face and he is still going strong into his mid 70’s. Not everyone I know has been so fortunate like my friend Aine who lost her 6-year fight. I wanted to see more people beat cancer.
In 2018, I was lucky and came across Battle Cancer events. From then on have been helping the team set up events, move kit, judge, or whatever I can. The opportunity to then support the Move Forward Gym and see the difference it will make to people is an honour. Only together can we Battle Cancer!
Sarah Sorkin
Movie Prop Whiz, Dwight Shrute Fan, Corgi Stalker
I’m so excited to be a part of this venture and spread this amazing movement far and wide
I first met Scott in 2016. My mum had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and due to the wonderful nature of cookies (not the tasty kind unfortunately)! on my Facebook newsfeed, I stumbled across an event called “Raise the Titanic”. Lifting weight and raising money for cancer charities. I signed up immediately, met with Scott, loved him, his drive and enthusiasm… the next year Battle Cancer was born and the rest is history.
I have been involved with Battle cancer ever since! My mums battle was painfully brief, she was given 3-6 months to live and she didn’t make it passed 6 weeks. She passed away a week before the Raise the Titanic event, her last Facebook post is of her sharing the Just Giving link and praising me for taking part.
Battle Cancer for me is more than just an event, its family, friendship and celebrations. It's saved me, saved me from my own self-pity, anger and pain I felt when I lost my mum. It gave me a focus, a new reason to keep moving forwards, pushing harder and helping as many people as I possibly can.
So, when I was asked if I was interested in investing in this amazing project I jumped at the chance! I inherited a small amount from my mum and I can’t think of a better way of investing it, helping others to thrive and not just survive the devastating effects of cancer. I have lost way too many close relatives of mine to cancer, some of these cancers are hereditary, the sad truth is that there is a high chance I will one day have it.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate on whether you are rich or poor, black or white or rainbow coloured! So while we are all here and able to, we should all be a little bit kinder, more generous with our time, help others as often as we can and just enjoy the amazing things life has to offer.
Battle Cancer has taught me so much, the amazing people behind Battle Cancer are my family and I’m so excited to be a part of this venture and spread this amazing movement far and wide. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Simon Sorkin
Digital Investigator, CrossFit Addict, Patriots Devotee
Everything people need to ‘Move Forward’ on hand in one place, in the form of a really positive supportive gym environment, is a really great opportunity and one that I could not pass up to help make happen
Battle Cancer is such an amazing support network for everyone, but more importantly to assist those affected by cancer through their journey, whatever that may be. From cancer patients, survivors, those that have lost loved ones and everyone else in between, the events that we host across the globe could appear very daunting (they’re not, we’re super friendly) to someone starting out their fitness journey during or after treatment, in whatever capacity that may be. So for me, the chance to be part of a team that can provide a more tangible base (an HQ if you like), in a smaller, more intimate setting, that has everything people need to ‘Move Forward’ on hand in one place, in the form of a really positive supportive gym environment, is a really great opportunity and one that I could not pass up to help make happen. It is an opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives that perhaps wouldn’t be there otherwise.
What is my link/story with Battle Cancer? It all started with my wife losing her mother to cancer, it all happened in a very short space of time that left her feeling lost, empty and struggling to grieve. The awesome people behind Battle Cancer, before the name was created, were there for her, providing fitness challenges to help her through the tough times.
As her husband, I was struggling to know what to do to help, other than just being there for her, but the team behind Battle Cancer were there for me too. Truly, as our mantra says, “You are Not Alone”. Fast forward a few years and I have lost my grandfather, my step-mother and several close work colleagues to cancer and each time the amazing people on our team have been there for me, no matter what.
I have Multiple Sclerosis and I know that at some point in the future I will need people around me to help me with day to day life, so for me right now, if I can do as much as I can to help, support or just be there for as many people as possible, I see that as an honour and a privilege and being part of Battle Cancer allows me to do just that. My wife and I have been at every event since the very beginning and jumped at the opportunity to work for Battle Cancer. I feel very lucky to be part of something that can change so many lives for the better.
Tom Cook
Man behind the lens, Dreamflight Volunteer, Yorkshire Gent
I know Move Forward changes lives - I’ve seen it, I’ve filmed it and if I can keep doing that then why wouldn’t I?
How can one facebook message 3 years ago change your life? It turns out a fair bit.
After sending that message and filming the first BC event in Manchester 2017, I was completely unaware of the friendships I would make, the support I would gain and the experiences I would have - just from a Facebook message, insane.
Battle Cancer has changed my life as I know it has helped change so many others on and off the workout floor and I have been lucky enough to film all your beautiful faces battling those workouts so when I was asked to invest in the next stage of Battle Cancer, it was a no brainer. I know Battle Cancer changes lives - I’ve seen it, I’ve filmed it and if I can keep doing that then why wouldn’t I?
Even though I have been lucky with my family in that both my nan and father have had only early stages of cancer and are now ox strong, that doesn’t mean that I can sit back on the sofa and just ignore that elephant in the room staring back at you saying “Just because you’re not affected, doesn’t mean it's not happening”. That elephant (who I named ’Stampy’ - Simpson fans you know) is right, and if the videos I make for BC can reach out to 1 person then its 100% worth it.
Battle Cancer is my family, but remember even though you don’t know me or met me or any of the team. We are here for you - we are only a Facebook message away, how will that message change your life?
Bobby Holland Hanton
Hollywood Stunt Man, Insane Gymnast, Serial Prankster
To be part of this gym project is incredible, to be working on something worthwhile, that means something, can help people. It’ll be something we can all be proud of.
I found out about Battle Cancer through a mutual friend and fellow stuntman, Doug, who
reached out to me to introduce Scott and Freya and the global movement they have created.
This just happened to be three days after my nan passed away from cancer. Fate you might say.
So it was very close to my heart and knew immediately that when Scott reached out to me,
explained what Battle Cancer is trying to do around the world and if I’d like to be involved in
some way, I just felt compelled to do something, it felt like a sign in a way. I wanted to do
something good and try and help as many people going through that awful disease as
possible.
I knew I could use the platform I have built on social media to try and raise awareness and
make something work together with Battle Cancer so I reached out to as many people as I
could through my work circles to make a small video clip saying “Through Battle Cancer you
are not alone”. They soon came rolling in with videos from Chris Hemsworth, Matt Damon,
Liam Hemsworth… the list goes on and on! The videos were such a success, so powerful and hopefully made a big difference, I’m sure they will continue to do so.
I was soon welcomed by the Battle Cancer team, they took me in and I was honoured to
become an ambassador for them. I feel very fortunate to be a part of an amazing team with
amazing people who all have that one goal - to help as many people as possible affected by
cancer.
As soon as there was mention of opening a gym, it was a no-brainer for me, the fact that
cancer patients would train there for free, to get that crucial physical and mental support. My
aim is to work closely with Battle Cancer for a very long time, forever basically, and get more
and more of these gyms up and running, to help more and more people battling this day in
day out.
To be part of this gym project is incredible, to be working on something worthwhile, that
means something, can help people. It’ll be something we can all be proud of.
I’ve gone through a really tough time the last 8-10 months, the toughest time of my life, and I
feel stumbling across you guys is fate and meant to be, you’ve all helped me get through the
bad times and help me piece back together my life and future again. It hits home and puts
everything into perspective.
I’m truly honoured to be getting a workout in the gym named after Nan, looking forward to
opening the gym and getting stuck in with helping as many people as possible.
Turlough Adley
Veterinary Surgeon, Cardio Machine, Seasoned Sailor
Setting up a facility where we can make a tangible impact on individual lives is something we are really excited to bring to the people of the South West
Volunteering at my first Battle Cancer event changed my life. The energy and positivity were infectious and after a very tough year where I struggled with personal loss and mental health issues it was exactly what I needed and a huge part of my recovery, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in. Since then I have worked closely with the Battle Cancer team helping to organise and run events. Battle Cancer events bring people together as a celebration for the lives of those recovering and those that have lost their fights with cancer.
Setting up a facility where we can make a tangible impact on individual lives was a natural
progression for the movement and something we are really excited to bring to the people of
the South West. Having a facility will allow us to make a real impact on people's physical and
mental health and will form part of our larger move forward program.
Sport has always been a huge part of my life and since starting Crossfit 6 years ago I have
seen the positive effects functional fitness training can have on physical and mental health in
myself and others around me. The chance to help others experience the same effect it has
had on me is something that I wanted to be a part of and really excited about.
Loran Brown
Commercial Manager, Lion-Haired Garage Athlete, Mother of Fur Babies
I’ve seen what the Battle Cancer movement does for people, to have a hub and bring this program to the public every day is amazing.
I started volunteering as a judge for Battle Cancer in 2018, it was such a different experience to other competitions and I was hooked. I’ve worked the majority of the events since and ingrained myself within the core team, I now head judge and recruit volunteers. You don’t often get to do something you love with an awesome group of friends, so I feel very lucky.
I’ve always been passionate about health and fitness but my career took me in a different direction. When I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Move Forward Gym I jumped at the chance. I’ve seen what the Battle Cancer movement does for people, to have a hub and bring this program to the public every day is amazing.
I’m so excited to see the results of bringing survivors back to fitness, provide a supportive community and I’ll be there training alongside you on your journey.
Now that you know the people behind the scenes, meet our coaching team!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @moveforwardgym