26 Mar 2025

Running for Ray

Raymond Clarke was an extraordinarily fit 87-year-old who still went to the gym once a week and walked his dog twice a day. The retired engineer lived in Bury St Edmunds with wife Lynn. The couple lived completely independently with no help. 

In August 2023 Raymond had a routine hernia operation. He had had two similar surgeries before, but this time developed strange symptoms after the operation. 

“He came out of his black and blue with bruises,” said son Phil, 52, a factory manager who also lives in Bury St Edmunds. “He also developed a hematoma, and they then found his blood levels were low. He had repeated tests but they kept dropping.” 

Raymond was referred to the haematology department at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, where, after further tests, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

“For a man of his age he was incredibly fit. So it was a shock. Despite his fitness, because he was 87 the only treatment available was a blood transfusion. Those started immediately. Throughout the next few months he was in and out of hospital. He always wanted to come home, and in the end we got carers to come three times a day and he got his wish. It was an adjustment for both him and Mum as they’d always been so independent. But me and my brother Michael both live nearby so we were there every day as well.”

Raymond died at home on 19th July 2024, at the age of 88.  

Phil has now decided to raise money for Leukaemia UK from his run in the Cambridge Half Marathon.  

“I felt disbelief and a bit useless when he was diagnosed, so it’s good to be able to do something now that helps others. I’ve always done a bit of running and a lot of triathlons. I joined a running club last year and fancied doing the Cambridge Half. I couldn’t get a place on my own, so was really pleased to be able to take up a place for Leukaemia UK. I’m headline it ‘Run for Ray’ and my family will be supporting me.”