Cancer survivor ends outback challenge early

Steve Griffiths, pictured at Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock) during the challenge, was forced to abandon a 4,000-mile motorbike ride across Australia

A throat cancer survivor has been forced to abandon a 4,000-mile motorbike ride across Australia due to fears about his safety.

Former rally driver Steve "Sport" Griffiths, from Quarry Bank in Dudley, had to end his coast-to-coast challenge early, after a support vehicle riding alongside him broke down, meaning he couldn't continue.

The 56-year-old, who set out in early July to raise money for charity and rode for 14 days, told the BBC he was "disappointed but relieved" to have ended the challenge.

Mr Griffiths had to postpone an earlier attempt at the challenge after discovering he had oropharyngeal cancer in 2023, to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Mr Griffiths managed to cross Australia, from Brisbane to Perth, before being forced to abandon on the return leg

The 56-year-old said: "It's disappointing but it was the right decision. The media support vehicle that was with me suffered broken axles and it was essential it was alongside my ride.

"I was feeling fine but the other riders were able to go faster and I couldn't keep that pace so I didn't want to spoil it for everyone."

Mr Griffiths endured extreme temperatures along dusty roads, with blistering daytime temperatures but having to scrape ice off his visor at night.

The team reached speeds of 130mph.

He believes he has raised almost £30,000 for Cancer Research UK and the McGrath Foundation with the challenge.

Mr Griffiths's bike camera helped him capture the journey

Mr Griffiths had a fall near the start of his adventure but was able to continue, taking on water from pouches strapped to his shoulders.

Before setting out, Steve was concerned that as his cancer treatment had damaged his salivary glands, taking in fluids might have been too difficult to complete the journey.

But he managed to cross Australia, from Brisbane to Perth, before being forced to abandon on the return leg - an estimated 2,500km or five days from the finish point.

Mr Griffiths believes he has raised almost £30,000 for Cancer Research UK and the McGrath Foundation with the challenge

Undeterred, Mr Griffiths now plans to take on a new challenge, custom building a Metro 6R4 and driving it between John O'Groats and Land's End to continue fundraising.

"I'd love to take in some race tracks, doing a lap at Donington and Silverstone if I can along the way," he said.

"The Australia challenge has not beaten me. I did the right thing to attempt it and it's given me such a boost. I'm raring to go again."