A RECOVERING cancer patient will this Saturday undertake a 30 mile walk to raise funds for Brighter Futures.

Peter Mainwaring, 65, from Coleview, will hike the 30 miles from Oxford to Swindon on a journey that will take around 10 hours to complete.

Peter knows the 70 mile round journey all too well, after travelling to Oxford for 37 days to receive radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer at the end of 2016.

Over eight weeks Peter travelled 2,500 miles for treatment, which he believes only adds to the stress, anxiety and exhaustion which comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Peter said: “If we had a radiotherapy unit in Swindon it would have saved me an awful lot of travelling and precious time.

“Travelling every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from November 10 to January 1, I was reminded how rubbish the traffic on the A420 to Oxford is.

“Although the treatment itself did not take too long, there is understandably a lot of waiting around and the long journey really does take its toll.

“Luckily I didn’t suffer too much from the side effects of radiotherapy which meant I was able to drive myself the majority of the time, but I can imagine how much more horrendous the journey would be for patients suffering badly.”

Peter has raised an impressive £5,700 so far thanks to sponsorship from friends, family, colleagues and employer Vodafone who will match the amount raised up to £350.

Brighter Furfures needs to raise £2.9 million to fund specialist equipment for a new radiotherapy unit at the Great Western Hospital, which will be run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Peter said: “Having a radiotherapy unit in Swindon would have made such a difference during my treatment, not only for me but for my family.

“I’m supporting Brighter Futures’ Radiotherapy Appeal as I know how much it will help other local families facing cancer.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and made a donation.”