A CYCLIST who is suffering from cancer is taking part in a charity ride to help raise money to fight the disease.

Wayne Smith, aged 37,will be tackling the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise money for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer.

Wayne, from Bury, lost his father Colin to bowel cancer in 2009 when he was 51 years old. He was then diagnosed with the disease himself in 2011 at the age of 30.

Wayne said: “I’d had symptoms for three or four years. I was back and forth to my GP over that time as the symptoms were put down to changes in diet or piles. I was also investigated for Crohn’s disease because this runs in my family.”

Wayne was finally diagnosed with bowel cancer after his wife went behind his back and made another appointment for him. Following his diagnosis, Wayne had thirty-five sessions of radiotherapy and seven weeks of chemotherapy followed by an operation and a further six months of chemotherapy.

He is now in very good health and looking forward to Ride London.

“I took part in the Great Manchester Cycle in 2014 and 2015,” said Wayne, “but that is a 52 mile course. Ride London is double the distance.”

Wayne’s training has been going well and he’s pleased that it has resulted in him losing a bit of weight.

He said: “I’m taking part to raise money to support Beating Bowel Cancer’s vital work. I also want to get the message across that bowel cancer doesn’t just affect the over 60s. It’s really important that younger people look out for the symptoms – I was in my 20s when I noticed mine – and keep going back to their GP.” To donate please visit: .justgiving.com/fundraising/waynesmithridelondon