A throat cancer survivor who has gone from "grumpy old man" to feeling positive will abseil 100ft to thank staff at Oxford's Churchill Hospital for helping him with his battle.

Just over a year ago Iain Belton went to his GP with a pain in his tooth and was told he had throat cancer.

After enduring six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and losing his teeth, the Bicester pensioner had a neck operation when a potentially cancerous lymph node appeared.

The 65-year-old, who was given the all-clear in November said he had Post Traumatic Growth, a condition which brings about a positive psychological change following adversity.

He said: "It was scary right from being told I had cancer, and the chemo really took it out of me.

"My wife Corinne was basically my full-time carer for six months.

"I can't put it into words how I feel now but everything just seems so positive to me - I used to be a grumpy old man to be honest but my outlook on life has completely changed.

"I don't do anything that would make my grumpy or anymore I just do positive things - when you go through something like that it makes you cherish the life you have."

The grandfather-of-three, along with his daughter Philly Futter, felt compelled to take on a 100ft abseil from the top of the Women's Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital to give something back to its staff.

He will be raising money for the Day Surgery Unit - used as a waiting area for cancer patients - which needs £100,000 for a redesign and expansion.

He said: "After spending time in the unit I wanted to do something to help.

"The whole team at the Churchill, right from the bottom to the top are amazing, for me it's about giving something back.

"They are so professional and always positive the whole time and they make you feel at ease despite what you are going through.

The former finance manager is due to have reconstructive surgery on his jaw soon and was looking forward to being able to ear his favourite foods again.

He said: "I have had to eat whatever I am able to over the past year, such as yoghurts and soups and at one point I had a feeding tube fitted into my stomach - bring on the sirloin steak I can't wait."

The abseil, on Sunday, June 19, Father's Day will raise money for a host of hospital projects and there is still time to sign up to take part.

The abseil costs £20 to enter and anyone aged over 18 and medically fit can take part.

Those taking part can also raise money for the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Fund, Horton Maternity Ward, Abingdon Midwives, IMPS (Injury Minimization Programme for School) and the Hidden Heroes Appeal.

For more information and to sign up go to hospitalcharity.co.uk/abseils or call 01865 743444.