Grandfather with cancer finishes 1,700-mile ride

Frank McEwan originally took up cycling after a heart attack at the age of 42

A man with incurable cancer has cycled 100 laps of Rutland Water to raise money for the hospital where he is being treated.

Frank McEwan, 77, from Uppingham, took on 1,700-mile challenge (2735.9km) in stages, in under two months, completing it on Sunday.

The grandfather has raised more than £2,600 for the Leicester Hospitals Charity.

He said he had "enjoyed every minute" of his ride which he began on 20 June.

The former army sergeant was diagnosed with cancer of the lung, kidney and thorax in 2018, before being told his condition was incurable in February 2020.

Mr McEwan, who has had a lung removed, said he had completed the ride around treatment at the Leicester Royal Infirmary's chemotherapy ward.

"The staff there do an amazing job," he said.

"I'm still here doing the things I love doing and as far as I'm concerned it's all down to them."

Mr McEwan said he hoped that the money would be used to buy new treatment benches to make chemotherapy more comfortable for patients.

Mr McEwan said he would be back out cycling again soon.

He said: "It's something that I actually look forward to, getting out early in the morning for a bike ride.

"Get out and do what you can do. I think it's very important to make sure you do something physical every day."

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