A Highgate bowel cancer survivor pedalled his way to helping raise £200,000 for Bowel and Cancer Research.
Paul Reynolds, along with four other cancer survivors, cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats with Bums on Bikes. The 53-year-old beat the illness in 2009.
He said: “It was an absolute joy. Cornwall and Devon were really tough because you’re continually climbing.”
Disaster struck as the team entered Scotland when Paul hit a pothole and was catapulted over his handlebars, breaking two ribs and dislocating a finger. But incredibly he was soon back on the bike, via Dumfries A&E, to finish the 870-mile challenge.
Paul was amazed at the generosity of people they met on the way.
“We chatted to a lady in a car park whose cousin had just died of bowel cancer,” he said. “That afternoon she went online and donated £100. Everywhere we went, people thanked us for talking openly about a disease which is usually taboo. It was very moving.”
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