Toby Freeman, a 36-year-old charity founder and CEO from Colchester, Essex, will be taking part in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon dressed as a giant pair of testicles, to raise money for The Robin Cancer Trust, the charity he and his family set up after his brother died from testicular cancer aged just 24.

Robin – two years Toby’s senior and one of two older brothers – had always been physically fit and healthy and was something of a role model for him. The two grew up joking they ‘were like twins’ and Toby describes Robin as ‘annoyingly good at anything he tried to do’ whether that was football, tennis, golf, swimming, cricket or any other sport.

After picking up a cough in late 2010, Robin was nagged by Toby and his family to get a doctor’s check-up, which he did after waking up with a swollen red arm which Toby suspected was a blood cot. On seeking medical advice, Robin’s life and that of his family was turned upside down after a week of tests revealed that he had late-stage testicular cancer.

“The next 10 months of Rob's life was being poked, prodded and put through gruelling chemotherapy. He had standard chemo, then clinical trial chemo that was so aggressive it gave him pre-leukemic cells, which meant he had to have a bone marrow transfusion, for which my eldest brother was a perfect match.

“That didn't take and our options just kept getting shorter and shorter. Eventually, after 10 months, they told us there was nothing more they could do. So, we spent the last few weeks of Rob's life making memories as a family.

“I watched Rob go from the prime of his life, idolizing this guy who was fit, healthy and active, to 10 months later, holding his hand on his deathbed at our local hospice.”

In response to Robin’s tragic passing, Toby and his family set up The Robin Cancer Trust, with the aim of breaking down the stigma attached to testicular cancer and empowering young people to make good health choices and get checked if they have health concerns.

Since founding the charity in 2012, Toby estimates they have raised more than £1 million and through several campaigns and challenges, have reached millions of young people.

It is these challenges that have formed part of Toby’s ‘Big Ballsy Challenge’ in which he has run the length of Hadrian’s Wall and taken on the London and Brighton Marathons amongst other endurance feats, all while dressed as a giant pair of testicles. The response, Toby says, has been incredible.

“The testicle costume is huge, it’s three times bigger than me and weighs about one stone – on top of the other stuff you’re carrying, like hydration, and the fatigue of running these events.

“The running community is the most uplifting community. People are amazing – the crowds are absolutely incredible. And that moment of silly joviality of people laughing at you – that’s the whole point, right? The point of breaking stigma is making myself a joke and allowing people to laugh about this serious subject by making myself look really silly.

“I’ve been through something really tragic, I’ve seen the worst of it and I don’t want that to happen to anyone else. So, I make myself the butt of a joke and people connect with that, because unfortunately the vast majority of people have been affected by cancer in some way.”

Toby’s next challenge is the Royal Parks Half Marathon, where he will once again don his giant testicle suit and line up alongside over 16,000 other runners on Sunday 12th October.

With Toby’s incredible exertions throughout the year keeping him fit, he is looking forward to taking on one of the UK’s most iconic running events.

“The Royal Parks Half Marathon is up there as one of the most prestigious events – everyone talks about it. It’s one of those where you can say, ‘I’ve run that race’ so I’m very excited to be a part of it. One of the great things about races in London is that running stops everything – everyone stops what they’re doing and celebrates with you. It feels like that ‘London 2012’ spirit where everyone is buzzing and celebrating with you.”

There will be little time for Toby to rest afterwards, with his series of challenges continuing – and culminating with the 2026 London Marathon, where he is aiming to set a world record as the fastest marathon runner dressed as a body part.

When he isn’t running, Toby works full-time to ensure the charity continues to go from strength to strength and reaches as many young people as possible, all while being driven by the memory of his brother.

“We’re now nearly 14 years out from Rob’s passing but his story still drives everything I do. I want to drive this to make sure we reach everyone in the UK and turn people towards lifesaving information. The fundraising is a mechanism – charities can’t run without it. But the one metric we always talk about is reach: the more people we can reach; then the more people we can get our lifesaving cancer campaigns in front of; and the more people we can engage, educate and empower.

“I have a life that I feel very privileged by, both professionally and personally. I have a house, a wife and two kids – life is great. There’s a Rob-sized hole in my life that will always be there, but you get to a place where you think about the light and shade in life and I’m so grateful for everything I have and everything I’m able to do.”

When asked for the overriding message he would share from his experience, his answer is unequivocal: “Don't let embarrassment kill you. Life is far too fragile to not look after your health. Your health should be your number one priority, and you know your body best. If there's anything wrong with it, just go and see a doctor and get it checked out. If we can prompt just one person to go to the doctor and it saves their life, then all the miles are worthwhile.”

To donate towards Toby’s challenges, visit his fundraising page:

Donate to Toby

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