A East Staffordshire dentist will take on the 100-mile Prudential RideLondon-Surrey challenge in memory of his wife who died from breast cancer last year.
Alun Kerslake from Uttoxeter will take on the challenge on Sunday, July 30 to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, in hopes of funding ground-breaking research into the illness.
Alun's wife of 30 years Kay was diagnosed with triple breast cancer in March 2012 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat it. However, it returned in November 2013 and after unsuccessful treatment, she died in November last year.
Alun himself was also diagnosed with cancer in October 2012, just months after Kay's first diagnosis. He was fighting bowel cancer and the couple went through chemotherapy together and supported each other.
He is now fit and well and will be taking on the 100-mile challenge of cycling from London's Olympic Park to Surrey, and then back to London, finishing on The Mall.
He said: "This will be the furthest I've ever cycled; 100 miles is a daunting prospect, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
"I've been on the receiving end of a cancer diagnosis as well as looking after Kay when she went through her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, so these days I don't want to sit around - life is for the living and I want to make the most of everything.
"I'm raising money for Breast Cancer Now because I want to help fund lifesaving research.
"I'm doing it for Kay, for woman who are at risk of developing breast cancer, and those currently undergoing treatment. Whatever I can do to stop breast cancer occurring, reduce the incidence rate, or increase life expectancy, I will gladly do!"
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, and today alone more than 30 women will die from the disease. Every year, 11,500 women and 80 men die from breast cancer.
Sian Wilkinson from the charity said: "We are so grateful for Alun's wonderful support. We hope he really enjoys taking part in RideLondon-Surrey, whilst raising much-needed funds for breast cancer research.
"With every bike ride that's done and marathon that's run, we're powering research that's finding new ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer, until the day when we stop it once and for all.
"With supporters like Alun by our side we can make it happen fast. We wish him the very best of luck."
