LAUNCESTON’S Gareth Lancaster and 12 others will cycle from Launceston to London later this month to raise money for Sarcoma UK.

Gareth, 40, was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma last year after experiencing pain in his hip and in July had to travel to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham to undergo a bilateral internal hemip­elvectomy and a partial resection of the bladder to get rid of a tumour.

Gareth said: “I only found about it because of a hip problem. I went to the doctors about the hip and the scan showed the tumour and it was a 11-centimetre ball.

“It was major surgery and the recovery has been and still is tough as having the front of the pelvis removed not only leaves you weaker, but also with large hernias in the groin as there is nothing to hold them up and nowhere for some of the stomach muscles to attach to, so that weakens the area considerably. I’m thankful for my surgeons for trying the operation, as usually for a tumour the size and position of mine, it means losing leg(s)!”

Since then Gareth has had to visit the hospital every three months for scans and check-ups, but generally feels good in himself.

However, unfortunately for the father of three, the cancer has returned.

Gareth said: “During my last scan in Birmingham a few weeks ago they could see that the cancer has come back and further surgery will be needed.

“This time it’ll be another very big operation called a pelvic exenteration, which in simple terms is the taking of the bladder, prostate, colon and a few other bits and bobs down there.

“This will only go ahead if other surgeons agree and if scans show no spreading outside of the pelvis, but the doctors have said that if I don’t have another surgery, the new growths will spread, grow and eventually kill me.

“The chances of nothing coming back after the second op is about 30% but the doctors are hopeful that I’ll make a decent recovery and the good news is that it looks like the operation will be scheduled after the London ride.”

The cycle, which starts at No 8 Café in Launceston on Friday, May 25 and ends two days later at the Admiralty Arch in the capital, was brought to Gareth’s attention by his friend and local driving instructor, Jason Jeffery.

Gareth said: “Jason said he was planning to ride from Launceston to London for charity with a group of people I know. He asked me to join and choose a charity of my choice so I chose to support Sarcoma UK as they’re the only cancer charity in the UK that looks at all types of sarcoma). I jumped at the chance as it was such a hard offer to refuse.

“We have a team of riders taking part with the aim of everyone completing the distance.

“The other riders are Kelly Sargent, Matt Breed, Simon Owens, Rob Orchard, Ian Ellacott, Louise Wakeham, Adrian Harvey, Sandra Ansty, Sally Reed, Merwyn Quick and Graham Worth while the support vehicle drivers are Llewellyn Lancaster and Ross Pidgeon.”

Doing 240 miles in three days will no doubt test the riders’ resolve, but Gareth is confident he can do it, as long as the timing of the op doesn’t get in the way.

He said: “I’m hopeful that I can finish it, although the op has to be at least a week after the end of the ride, else I won’t be able to do it.

“I ride with Launceston Velo, which is the town’s cycling club, and we’ve been training on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, while I’ve also tried to fit in as much as I can around North Cornwall and on the turbo trainer at home.

“I’ve been doing about 150 to 200 miles a week for the last month to get the miles in the legs and then I’ll have a week off beforehand to rest up.”

The first two days will see them travel up to Exeter before going along the South Coast and eventually into Surrey, before the grand finale on the Sunday.

He said: “We’re pretty much following the Trefalgar Way. The first day will see us travel from Launceston to Dorchester and then the second day will see us go from there to Camberley. The first two days will be about 100 miles and then the third day sees us go into Central London, where we’ll finish at the Admiralty Arch.”

Gareth has been delighted with the support the group have received and also had praise for his close family.

He concluded: “People have been extremely generous. We’ve raised nearly £6,000 so far, including £1,000 from a quiz night we held at the White Hart a few weeks ago, and it’d be brilliant if we could get even more before we leave.

“I’d also like to say thanks to everyone for the support and in particular to my partner Hayley and my children Grace, Harry and Willow and to AAA Vehicle Rental Launceston (support van), St Stephens Community Academy (support minibus), The Little Bike Shop at South Petherwin (nutrition and spare parts) and Cornish Natural Spring Water (water).”

To donate to Gareth’s cause and Sarcoma UK, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lanson-to-london