Support wanted for 1,400-mile charity ride
A man diagnosed with an asbestos-related terminal cancer is preparing for a 1,400-mile bike ride for charity.
Liam Bradley, 31, will be cycling from his home in Swinderby to Alicante, Spain, in September.
He will ride through England before catching a ferry to the Netherlands.
Liam’s route will then go through Belgim, France and into Spain, where he will pass through Barcelona and Valencia before reaching Alicante.
He is aiming to raise £100,000 for Mesothelioma UK.
Liam’s wife, Briony, will drive a camper van as a support vehicle, accompanied by their daughter, Nevaeh, 3.
They still need donations to help fund the challenge and have organised a raffle at The Plough, Swinderby, which will be drawn a week tomorrow.
"We are hoping that will be a success and will raise the money we need," Liam said.
"If we can’t raise it, I may have to postpone the ride."
Liam has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the protective lining of the lung, caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.
His health problems started in September 2015 when he was lucky to survive a 30ft fall from a three-storey building while working as a roofer.
He said: "I broke my neck, hip, ribs and elbow, and punctured a lung.
"The paramedics said I had no right to live or not be paralysed, but I got through it."
Six months later, Liam returned to work in a management position in a construction company.
A few months after returning to work, he banged his head in a soft play area with his daughter.
He said it felt like something had cracked in his neck and he went to get it checked.
"The doctors found nothing was wrong with my neck but my lung was 50% collapsed," Liam said.
"I was sent for an operation to inflate my lung, when doctors found tiny specks on the lining."
Liam was told he had pleural mesothelioma, which is classed as a terminal disease because asbestos fibres never leave the body.
He was told it was unheard of for people under 40 to be diagnosed with the disease.
"The first couple of months were just a blur," Liam said.
"I knew a little bit about the disease because my grandmother died from it, but I didn’t know it was classed as a terminal illness.
"Clinically, no one has survived it but, through the research I have done, I have found it is getting more common for people to live for a decade or two.
"My gran was at stage five and she lived for three years. I am at stage one now and it has not changed since I was diagnosed over a year ago.
"It is a slow-growing cancer and I have got age and health on my side."
All money raised from the cycle ride will go to the charity.
Liam has also lined up other fundraising events, including a North Pole marathon.
He said: "The money raised will allow for more research and specialist nurses.
"There are currently only 19 specialist nurses in the country to care for patients and their families.
"It is believed some form of long-term treatment is not far away — and even a cure.
"I want to do something to help them get there for all people with mesothelioma and their families."
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/liam-bradley14
