Terminally ill Ripon man's 286-mile garden fundraiser

Anthony Henson was congratulated at the finish line by patients and staff at Active Against Cancer

A terminally ill man from Ripon has completed a 286-mile walk in his garden to raise funds to help other patients.

Anthony Henson walked the distance of the Pennine Way after treatment for incurable pancreatic and liver cancer meant he could not do it for real. 

The 53-year-old was supported by Active Against Cancer, which helps patients achieve and maintain fitness levels.

"Without them I would not have been able to deal with the treatments I have received," said Mr Henson. 

Architect Mr Henson was diagnosed after suddenly collapsing shortly after completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in April 2022. 

He was told he had 30 tumours on his liver with two being the size of a grapefruit. The father-of-two received a "pioneering" operation and treatment which has extended his life.

He has injections of nuclear material to kill parts of his liver where there are tumours.

Mr Henson then spends 24 hours in a lead-lined room before isolating at home for two weeks until the radiation in his body has reduced enough for him not to be harmful to others.

"The staff at St James's hospital have done an amazing job keeping me alive, I can never thank them enough," he said.

Anthony Henson braves the rain as he walks the last leg of his fundraising challenge with Steven Henwood from Active Against Cancer

Mr Henson has raised more than £11,000 for the NHS's Active Against Cancer, which he says helped him to "live as normal life as possible".

After each treatment, the Harrogate-based classes helped to build up his fitness.

He finished his fundraising challenge at Harrogate Sports & Fitness Club as a crowd of people pulled party poppers as he crossed the line.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Henson said: "I'm so overwhelmed, thank you so much. It's all about the people who run Active Against Cancer and help us all.

"I'm very happy that I've done it. I just need to think of another challenge now."

Steven Henwood from Active Against Cancer said Mr Henson's was a "really, really phenomenal achievement".

"The money raised will be used to make this service a lot more accessible," he added.