A man who has battled cancer – and lost his brother to leukaemia - undertook a gruelling 10-mile obstacle course to raise £1,030 for a charity that supported him and his family.
Ian West, 27, was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was just 24 and resolved to give something back to CLIC Sargent.
Partly inspired by a new year’s resolution to get healthy, Winters Lane resident Ian - who could barely run a mile when he started training - successfully completed the Tough Mudder Course at the weekend.
Ian, who is now in remission, also managed to smash his fundraising target on the day - cheered on by friends and loved-ones.
Ian said: “We lost my brother, Keith, to leukaemia when he was eight years-old, so it has been our family charity for a long time.
“They were a massive support to my family during this time, arranging accommodation for my parents when Keith had to go for treatment in Bristol hospital and financial support as well as a dedicated nurse who would even do home visits to see how Keith was doing.
“Because of this, I have always said that I would like to do something to raise money for this amazing charity that helps young people and their families when they get the bad news.
“I was diagnosed with testicular cancer when I was 24 and CLIC Sargent contacted me and they offered me pretty much everything they had in terms of financial support.
“I just wanted to give something back.”
The project manager said he was hovering around the £900 mark on Saturday, before the event, but a last-minute surge in donations has taken his total to £1,030.
His wife, Chantelle, and a group of friends went along to support him in the challenge - which is designed to test physical and mental strength
Ian added: “I completed the Rock Solid Race at Escot Park in March, but this was even more distance and everything was twice the size.”
There is still opportunity to donate to the cause and find out more via Ian’s fundraising site at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/westystoughmudderchallenge#
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