A SEASONED hiker and former cancer patient is all set for a fundraising challenge that will see him walk 30 miles from Oxford to Swindon to raise funds for the radiotherapy appeal.

Coleview resident Peter Mainwaring will don his walking boots on Saturday, April 1 and undertake the excursion with a small band of family and friends.

He chose the Oxford to Swindon route to symbolise the journey he and others have to make each day for radiotherapy treatment.

Peter had been inspired by walker Nicola Butcher, who has previously been featured in the Adver after she organised a hike around the Wroughton area to raise cash for the appeal.

Peter, 65, said: “I saw the article on Nicola and I thought that I should do something like that. It’s such a good way of raising money. I then thought it would be quite poignant to go from the Churchill Hospital in Oxford to where the new radiotherapy unit will be at the Great Western Hospital.

“I mentioned it to family and friends over Christmas and they said they would all like to come with me, so I’m currently in the process of organising it.”

The plan is to set off early on Saturday morning and head straight for the centre of Oxford and along the Thames and past the Oxford Brookes University campus. From there, the intrepid band will head towards Shrivenham and on to Wanborough before arriving at the Great Western Hospital on Saturday evening.

A confident Peter said: “I’m certainly looking forward to it, though it will be quite a challenge. I have done long walks before so I know what it will involve.”

Peter often takes part in walking weekends with friends and he described the pastime as “something I enjoy very much”.

He has so far managed to raise around £1,800 in sponsorship and is keen to pull in as much as he possibly can for the appeal.

He said: “Initially I didn’t set a target. I managed to reach £800, then I thought I could reach £1,200 and now I’ve hit 1,800.”

The appeal is all the more important to Peter as he knows first-hand just how much Swindon needs a radiotherapy centre.

In 2015, the father-of-two was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which meant he had to make 37 trips to Oxford from his home in Coleview. His treatment ended less than two weeks ago, on New Year’s Day.

Speaking about the need to bring radiotherapy to Swindon, he said: “It’s really important that we get this centre as soon as possible so people like me won’t have to make that journey to Oxford.

“When I was having treatment I noticed a lot of the people in the waiting area at the hospital were from Swindon – a treatment centre here would make such a difference to people’s lives. Anyone can be affected by cancer and any donations are gratefully received.”

To donate, visit Peter’s fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Peter-Mainwaring-Radiotherapy-Walk.

Alternatively, you can cut out and send in the attached form or log on to www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.