Hi everyone

I’m Vince and I’m a cancer survivor. Words I never ever expected to utter.

Having found a small lump on my neck when shaving one day at the end of September 2021, I had it checked out very quickly and by November I was told I had throat cancer, an unpleasant and aggressive form of the disease, potentially life threatening but which the Oncology team said they would "treat to cure". From January through to March 2022 I underwent treatment  - a gruelling regime of radiotherapy & chemotherapy. I could not have asked for better care and since treatment ended I've followed the advice of a wonderful NHS cancer support team and have now had several "all clear" reviews.

To celebrate this I wanted to take on a life challenge and help raise funds for other cancer patients being treated in County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust hospitals. This is my way to say thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me on my journey and I hope the monies I raise doing this challenge will help others with their journey too.

On the 18th July 2023 (exactly a year after my first all clear review) I will be setting off on the Mont Blanc Route - a 7 night/8 day trek through the French Alps into Italy and Switzerland then back to France, accompanied by my younger son Matt.

County Durham has one of the highest levels of cancer in the country and the monies I raise will help transform Cancer services in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy  departments of our local hospitals through the work of this wonderful charity,  creating a warm and welcoming environment for those undergoing treatment – which can mean sitting for anywhere between 4 – 6 hrs at a time on the cancer units.

I know times are tough but please give what you can to help, and please remember to add gift aid if you’re a UK tax payer – that’s another 25% without any extra cost to you. If you can’t donate – please share my page with your network and encourage them to sponsor me if they can too. 

Thank you in advance for your support – you will be helping to make a massive difference to the thousands of patients being supported through their cancer journey right now

Vince