A consultant radiologist from the Royal Liverpool Hospital is preparing to cycle more than 500 miles from Geneva to Nice to raise money for the blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, after spotting his own leukaemia while testing a new ultrasound machine at work in 2008. 

Setting out on Friday 19 August, Professor Derek Gould will pedal at altitudes of up to 2,800 metres as he takes on the punishing Raid Alpine ride to support the charity’s life-saving research into better treatments and cures for leukaemia and all other blood cancers. 

“It was a big wake up call and knocked me back mentally,” said Derek, 61. “But the leukaemia is not an issue right now - and hopefully won’t be for many years to come! I’ve since pushed what’s happened to me to the back of my mind and try to make the most of everyday.

I don’t feel vulnerable when I’m out on the bike. I’ve always been a cyclist, and always wanted to try the Raid Alpine, so I’m doing this for me."