Military vs Cancer - supporting the Armed Forces community

Founded as a registered charity in May 2022, Military vs Cancer has rapidly become a vital lifeline for serving personnel, veterans, and their families affected by cancer. Born from personal loss and fuelled by an unwavering commitment to the military community, the organisation has grown from a small grassroots fundraiser into a national charity supporting more than 150 families every year.

The charity’s founder, David Bathgate who served an incredible 34 years in the Royal Navy Submarine Service, first launched Military vs Cancer in 2018 to honour the memory of his brother, who tragically passed away from cancer. The years that followed brought further heartbreak, with cancer claiming the lives of eight close family members. Those losses deepened his resolve to ensure no one in the armed forces community faces the illness alone.

Recognising the unique challenges faced by serving personnel and veterans—from service-related exposures to frequent relocations and the pressures of transitioning to civilian life, the charity focuses on offering practical, emotional, and financial support throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

After relocating to Doncaster two years ago, the charity has proudly made the city its home. Despite being a small team, the organisation supported more than 100 families last year and is already seeing this number increase as awareness grows.

Since 2022, the charity has been run by a tight-knit team of two, David and Shelley Bathgate but expanding activities and rising demand have driven significant growth. An events manager joined in July 2025 to support the charity’s packed events portfolio, now central to its fundraising efforts, and the team currently includes three employees, with a fourth full-time member joining in March 2026. Plans are already underway to recruit again within the next 10 weeks.

Their future ambition is clear: to establish a dedicated help desk in Doncaster, expanding their ability to support families nationwide while creating local jobs and opportunities.

The charity measures its success by how many families it can support. Currently assisting around 150 families each year, the team hope to increase this to 250–350 families over the next 12 months.

The charity credits its positive relationship with Business Doncaster as a key part of its future. After recent meetings with the business development team, Military vs Cancer is optimistic about the collaborative support available as it continues to expand in the area.

“It feels like there is genuine energy and drive to help each other,” the team shared. “Our growth plans will be supported locally, and challenges can be discussed openly using all the resources available. It’s an exciting time for us.”

Events play a huge role in raising awareness, uniting supporters, and generating vital funds. One of the most exciting events is the Armed Forces Day Rugby Event at Doncaster Knights on 4 July. This triple-header rugby celebration is proudly accessible, with tickets priced at £10 for adults, £5 for children, and free for veterans and serving personnel.

Event details can be found at: https://linktr.ee/militaryvscancer  

For anyone seeking support or wishing to get involved please visit www.militaryvscancer.com