Peter Dixon, principal cellist with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, is on an extraordinary mission to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer in memory of his beloved wife, Clara, who died in March 2023.
Clara and Peter were married for 30 years. A talented violinist and devoted grandmother of three, Clara played in the first violin section of Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra. She was known not only for her musicianship, but for her warmth, strength, and love for her family.
Clara began experiencing symptoms in 2019, which were initially thought to be reflux. Though they seemed to improve temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, they later returned and became progressively worse. It wasn’t until Peter insisted on a GP visit that the true seriousness of Clara’s illness was revealed. By that point, she was in severe pain, and doctors quickly discovered that she had inoperable oesophageal cancer.
In the months that followed, Peter witnessed first hand how easily this cancer can be misdiagnosed – and how critical it is to catch it early. Determined to raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing similar loss, he launched the Clara Dixon Trust to support Heartburn Cancer UK.
To date, Peter has raised more than £25,000 through an ambitious personal challenge: climbing all 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District – an area he and Clara both loved deeply. The couple had climbed many of the peaks together, and Peter has chosen each summit with great care and emotional significance. The first climb, Great Borne, was the last mountain they completed as a couple. The final peak will be Great Gable, the very first one they ever climbed together. So far he has climbed an amazing 139 peaks out of 214 peaks for Clara.
Peter continues to document his hikes and share reflections through social media, reaching thousands and inspiring others with each step and each story. The campaign has already sparked community support, including local fundraising walks organised by The Royal Oak in Upperthong, which have raised nearly £2,000.
“I’m doing this in Clara’s memory, but also to make a difference,” said Peter. “If sharing our story encourages even one person to get their symptoms checked early, then it’s worth it.”
Peter’s fundraising also included a special musical performance at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday, April 12, where he played Schelomo (Solomon) by Ernest Bloch – a beautiful and spiritual cello solo Clara adored. He performed with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, donating his fee entirely to the Clara Dixon Trust.
Support Peter’s Mission
You can help Peter raise awareness and save lives in Clara’s memory:
???? Donate to the Clara Dixon Trust: Visit the JustGiving page
???? Follow Peter’s journey: @cellomanpeds on Instagram
Every donation supports Heartburn Cancer UK’s work to educate the public about the risks of persistent heartburn, Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal cancer – and the importance of early detection.
