A FORMER Oxford cancer patient will walk the length of the Thames to support Oxford head-and-neck cancer charity Heads Up.

Stuart Gray, 42, of Reading, a head-and-neck cancer sufferer, will start on April 14 and walk through Oxford on April 16. The charity walk spans nearly 200 miles and will start from the source in Thames Head, near Kemble, Gloucestershire to the estuary at Crayford Ness, Kent.

Mr Gray aims to complete the walk in 10 days.

Stuart, a father of two, was first diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in 2005 and underwent surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital to remove part of his sinus. Five years later, a second tumour was found which affected his sinus and left eye.

He underwent a 12-hour operation to remove his sinus, eye and half his mouth palate, replacing the area with a large piece of tissue from his leg.

Mr Gray said: “There are many cancer charities I could raise money for, however, few invest heavily in research in head and neck cancers and much research still needs to be done in this area.

“The disease often has a lasting and devastating effect on the lives of both patients and their families, often affecting a person’s appearance and having a considerable impact on their quality of life.

“After all, four of our five senses can be found in the head and neck area.”

Heads Up has been set up by the ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat) department of the John Radcliffe Hospital to further research into head and neck cancers.

Visit justgiving.com/stuart -gray4 or web.me.com/ stumpystu/headsupcampaign/welcome.html