A PRESTWICH man will begin a series of gruelling sporting challenges in his bid to raise £1,000 for a cancer charity on Thursday, April 23.

John Herring will first adopt some "pedal power" when he embarks on a 150-mile Whitehaven to Sunderland cycle event, set to take four days to complete.

That will be the first of four sports-themed fundraising ventures for John, who lives in Mountside Crescent.

He works for the NHS as a cancer services network manager, tasked with improving services to cancer patients throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria. He also serves on the management committee of the Rosemere Cancer Foundation charity, to which the proceeds of his sponsored events will go.

Rosemere works to bring world class cancer treatment and services to local cancer patients via their local hospital and the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston by buying vital equipment and funding research and training that the NHS is unable to fund.

Next month, John switches from the saddle to foot to pound through Manchester city centre in the Morrisons Great Manchester 10K run.

In June, he will travel to Sweden for some canoeing. For four days, he’ll paddle the River Klaralven between Stockholm and Gothenburg, camping on its banks at night.

Finally, in July, his plan is to return to the saddle for the 52-mile Great Manchester Cycle.

John said: “I’ll be with friends on all the challenges and I’m hoping other friends, family and colleagues will support me by visiting my Just Giving page.

"There’s crossover between the work I do in my job and some of the projects Rosemere supports, so I’ve just extended my role a little by doing my bit to help the charity help people with cancer.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation also works to provide free access to complementary therapies for all those going through treatment and to make the surroundings in which treatment is given more patient-friendly.

Anyone who wishes to support John can visit www.justgiving.com/John-Herring2