A CANCER patient is cycling 111 mile to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.

Mel Saunders who was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago, will take on the challenge starting and ending in Evesham on September 20.

He has raised £1700 so far.

Mr Saunders, 56 has had numerous invasive procedures and a near death experience with Sepsis. His diagnosis followed a routine PSA blood reading taken five years ago to discover if he was at risk for the cancer. He is due to have a prostatectomy in October.

"I bike ride anyway, and have always bike rode, but riding can upset the prostate."

"This is one of the most difficult cancers to detect and yet the easiest to cure if caught early enough."

Mr Saunders who is a company director said the charity Prostate Cancer UK "were always there over the phone." He also thanked Phoenix gym in Evesham for their support.

Mr Saunders said: "Nerves are starting to jingle a bit now, but training is going well, there are a number of friends and colleagues doing it with me,"

This will be the biggest challenge Mr Saunders has done in one day.

His just giving page says: "If, because of this I can persuade any of you men out there to get checked, then I'll be happy. Remember I had no symptoms at all."

To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/jane-saunders10