Steep task for one-legged walker (From Oxford Mail)

Steep task for one-legged walker

7:00am Monday 5th January 2009 in Search By Matt Wilkinson

A cancer survivor who lost his leg to the disease has set his sights on climbing another mountain – this time in aid of fellow patients.

Plumber Andy Ward has a prosthetic limb after losing his leg below the knee three years ago following complications with testicular cancer.

Now the 41-year-old is scaling Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise money for Oxford-based charity Urology Cancer Research and Education (Ucare).

He will be joined during February’s climb by Gemma Crane, a uro oncology specialist nurse at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, who provides support to patients with bladder, prostate, testicular or kidney cancer.

Mr Ward said: “People say I’m a bit crazy doing this but I feel healthy now — both mentally and physically. People were good to me in my dark days and I want to give something back.

“I want to raise money for Ucare, but I also have a personal reason. I want to show that I’m no different to anyone else and can rise to a challenge like this.”

Most days will involve around six hours walking uphill and the fundraisers will be sleeping in tents at night before reaching the peak at 19,000ft above sea level at dawn on the fifth day.

Mr Ward, of Banbury, was treated for a rare form of testicular cancer for three days. He survived the disease, but lost the lower part of his leg and now walks with a prosthetic limb.

The father-of-three still works as a plumber and builder and Banbury Heating Supplies has agreed to pay his expenses for the mountain challenge.

Mr Ward’s wife Angie and his mother Mena have already raised £500 in sponsorship.

Nurse Ms Crane, of Watlington, runs clinics for kidney and testicular cancer patients and has set up support groups for patients and families.

She said 54,000 new cases of prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular cancers were diagnosed every year in the UK.

She added: “Around 10,000 men die from prostate cancer every year. There needs to be greater research and awareness of these types of cancer. That is why I am doing this.

“If Andy can put himself through it with just one leg, that will inspire me. I’m sure I can rise to the challenge.”

The 29-year-old has also set up a website called Thames Valley Nuts where men can discuss health problems related to testicular cancer.

The Ucare Kilimanjaro Challenge begins on February 14.

To sponsor Mr Ward and Ms Crane, follow the links on this page.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk