A dad from Bamber Bridge in Preston, who says The Christie saved his life, is preparing to embark on a gruelling fundraising challenge.

30 year old Joe Elding was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1997, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, at the age of 17. He was immediately transferred to the leading cancer centre and was told he might not make it through the night.

13 years later though, the IT team leader who works for the support services company Enterprise, is fit and well, and leading a normal healthy life. He is married to wife Andrea and father to baby Willow Rose who turns one next week.

He said; "My parents were told things didn't look good at all - I was in a very bad way. That's why I feel so indebted to The Christie - the experts there really did save my life. I'm one of the hundreds of people who wouldn't be around now if it wasn't for the doctors and nurses there."

Joe's treatment consisted of bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and he also had a bone marrow transplant. Every year around 10,300 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer. Thanks to improved treatments, survival rates for this type of cancer have risen significantly over the last 30 years.

"Every day I thank my lucky stars that I'm in the position I'm in. I wouldn't have met my soulmate in my wife or become a father. I'm determined to show just how thankful I am."

Joe took part in this year's London Marathon raising over £3,000 but his latest adventure, starting on the 3rd September, is a tough 700 mile seven day bike challenge covering nine European countries with friends and family.

"We start off in the Alps of Italy and finish off in Holland so it'll certainly be enlightening! Seven days is an extremely short amount of time to do it in so I'm putting all the preparation in now! I want to raise over £20,000 through this, so I would love for as many people as possible to support me. I really want other people to have the lucky outcome that I've been blessed with. Please help me do this by visiting my fundraising page - www.justgiving.com/alps2amsterdam"

Graham Billsborough, Joe's manager at Enterprise said; "We are incredible proud of Joe for attempting this challenge. We are supporting him 100% and will be keeping up with his progress over the 700 miles. The work that The Christie does is crucial in helping people like Joe to carry on leading a normal life. Hopefully Joe's efforts will lead to others benefiting in the same way. "

Sporting events officer at the Christie charity, Marco Giannini, added; "What Joe's preparing to embark upon is a lesson to us all - anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He's been through so much but he's living life to the full."

"Good luck with the challenge Joe - we'll be rooting for you all the way!"

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