LORRY driver Colin Cooper, from Hemyock, is set to finish a 200-mile cycle ride today (Wednesday) in aid of cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

The novice cyclist has been riding from Land’s End to Bridgwater over four days with fellow driver Colin Pitham, who both work for Nagel-Langdons in Bridgwater, and Colin Pitham’s son, James.

The two Colins, who also happen to look alike, have chosen to raise money for Macmillan because of the way it has supported them and their families in recent years.

Colin Cooper was diagnosed with an aggressive grade nine prostate cancer in June 2018, underwent surgery to remove his prostate and a course of radiotherapy after tests showed cancer cells were still present. Colin will find out in late September if his treatment has been successful.

He said: “My care at Musgrove Park Hospital and the support I’ve been given by Macmillan has been second to none. My Macmillan nurses Amy and Wendy, and my Macmillan radiographers took the time to listen to me and really cared.

“Nothing was too much trouble and they were there to answer any questions I had. When the other Colin told me about the cycle challenge I thought it would be a great way to give something back for all the support I’ve received and my way of saying thank you.”

Colin Pitham’s family was helped by Macmillan when his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died in January 2018.

The cycle ride began at Land’s End on Sunday and followed cycle routes through Penzance, Cambourne, Fraddon, Holsworthy, Tiverton and Taunton with occasional diversions to visit places of interest. The trio, who hope to raise £3,000, were set to climb 12,000ft with no support

vehicle.

Genevieve Drinkwater, Macmillan fundraising manager for Somerset, said: “Macmillan receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on the generosity and hard work of our supporters.”

Anyone who would like to support Colin, Colin and James can give at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/landsend2bridgwater