Man with terminal cancer leads fundraising walk

A man with terminal cancer has set himself the challenge of walking 15 miles (24km) with about 85 friends to raise more than £35,000 for charity.

Johnny Ratcliffe, 45, from Menston, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive cancer anorectal mucosal melanoma two years ago, and was told in January there were no more treatment options.

He and his wife Melissa decided to walk from St James' Hospital in Leeds to the Down Syndrome Support Service in Bingley, which supports the needs of their three-year-old son Leo.

Mr Ratcliffe said he is determined to walk as much of the route as he can but may have to be pushed in a specially adapted wheelchair for part of the way.

The group aim to set off from St James' Hospital, where Mr Ratcliffe has undergone treatment for his cancer, at 09:30 GMT, on a day which is World Down Syndrome Day.

The money raised will go to Melanoma Focus, a national charity dedicated to providing help and support to melanoma patients, and the Down Syndrome Training and Support Service.

Mr Ratcliffe has set a target of £40,000, and on Thursday the amount on their Just Giving page had already topped £35,000.

He said: "Sadly there isn't a cure for mucosal melanoma.

"It's important that even if there isn't a treatment for me, there is for future generations - Melanoma Focus is campaigning for just that."

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