Cancer patient in south Warwickshire will take on epic 400-mile charity cycle ride while undergoing radiotherapy treatment
A keen cyclist from a south Warwickshire village is taking on an epic 400-mile ride whilst undergoing radiotherapy treatment to raise awareness and money for charity.
Alastair Welford, from Oxhill, hopes to raise awareness of prostate cancer and money for the Nicodemus charity.
Starting on December 1, the 67-year-old aims to cover a distance of 400 miles all while undergoing MRI-guided radiotherapy before finishing the challenge on January 31.
Spreading the message about early detection is an important part of Alastair’s challenge, who said: “I had no symptoms at all.
“My prostate cancer was only found because of a simple PSA blood test, my first one, taken far later than it should have been. That test changed everything for me.
“Awareness is everything. A blood test could save your life — I’m living proof of that.”
Alastair knows the rides will be extremely challenging some days because of fatigue and the side effects expected during radiotherapy, however he is determined to complete it.
He said: “These rides give me something positive to focus on every day of treatment. And if they also help young people find hope and direction, then the challenge becomes even more meaningful.”
Money raised from the ride will go to the Nicodemus charity which trains mentors to support young people in schools, churches and communities across the UK and abroad.
He said: “Just as I rely on expert guidance through treatment, young people need guidance too, someone to believe in them, encourage them and steer them through life’s big decisions.”
For more information about Alastair’s challenge or to support him with a donation, visit: https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/nicodemus/give-a-young-person-a-mentor/cycling-through-radiotherapy