A bowel cancer survivor is set to take on one of the toughest stages of the Tour de France to raise funds for charity.
Richard Litchfield, 40, of Devon Road, was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and underwent an operation shortly after, but was back on his bike again just six weeks after leaving hospital.
Inspired by his experience to raise money for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, Richard will take part in the L’Etape Du Tour on July 20– a challenge which takes cyclists through one of the toughest mountain stages of the Tour de France just four days before the professionals tackle the very same route.
Richard said: “I decided that as soon as I was up to it, I’d ride in the L’Etape Du Tour to raise funds for the Beating Bowel cancer charity and to raise awareness of the symptoms.
“I really want to encourage people to get any symptoms checked out as soon as possible because the earlier cancer is detected the easier it is to treat and the higher the chance of survival.”
> To sponsor Richard log on to www.justgiving.com/Richard-Litchfield