Paddleboarder in 300km cancer fundraising venture

Mr Callow says he is "100% committed" to the challenge despite its gruelling nature

A father is set to literally stand up to cancer as he raises money by paddleboarding nearly 300km (186 miles) along waterways in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Jon Callow, 32, intends to complete a circular route, including two rivers and three canals, in seven days.

Mr Callow, from Bradford, decided to take on the challenge to raise £2,000 for charity after his fiancée, Anna Hall, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

He will set off on the venture on Monday from Shipley but insisted that despite the size of the challenge it was not an April Fools' stunt.

All money raised from the challenge will be donated to the Stand Up to Cancer campaign, which is run by Cancer Research UK.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Mr Callow said he was "feeling confident".

He will start his journey on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Shipley, before navigating the River Aire, the River Calder, Rochdale Canal and Bridgewater Canal, and looping back to rejoin the Leeds-Liverpool Canal back to West Yorkshire.

Ms Hall underwent checks for cancer after noticing bad bruising when the couple's daughter Eira fell on her

"Truth be told I've wanted to do a long distance paddle for a long time," he said.

"I've done lots of training paddles over the last couple of months. I'll be paddling in the dark at times and against the wind.

"The longest practice run I've done is about 12 miles, which is about a third of the longest day, but as I keep pointing out to people, marathon runners don't run marathons to get their practice in."

Ms Hall underwent checks for cancer after the couple's daughter Eira, who is now two, fell awkwardly on her mum's breast while running around, causing an unusual amount of bruising.

The diagnosis then followed in March 2023.

Mr Callow said his partner was "extremely tired" after undergoing three surgeries, six doses of chemotherapy and a course of radiotherapy over the last year.

Added motivation for him to take on the challenge came when his uncle died in November after having cancer for two years.

"It's been a tough time for us all," he said.

"It's been six months in the planning and I'm 100% committed to it."