My friend Paul died of bowel cancer in January. We were friends when I worked in bar in Ilfracombe but had drifted apart since I moved to Lundy. We met occasionally at his business, Tarka Trail Cycle Hire in Barnstaple, when my wife and I were waiting for a train. Paul had a great energy and enthusiasm which he was always willing to share with people, either when he was working as a teacher or when running the cycle hire business. I was stunned when I heard that he’d died, he always seemed so fit, so alive.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.

On June 19th, I'm doing a charity bike ride for Bowel Cancer UK to remember Paul. I’ll hire a bike from Tarka Trail Cycle Hire, which is now run by Paul’s nephew. I don’t know how far I’ll ride as I only learnt to ride a bicycle last year (a lockdown challenge from my step-daughter Rachel). I’ll ride to Fremington and back, then see if I can go further.

About Bowel Cancer UK

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. We’re here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.