A STRETFORD pensioner who survived bladder cancer, raised £12,000 for Cancer Research UK at the charity’s Shine Manchester event.


Ted Poole, 71, and his friend Brian Ferguson, also of Stretford, walked 26 miles through the night to complete the marathon route on September 8.


As a retired long distance driver, Ted took the miles in his stride, but his story may have been very different if he has not visited his GP when passing blood in his urine in 2005.
 

Ted had surgery to remove his bladder and prostate at the Christie Hospital and now, seven years on, he is in remission and is feeling well.


He said: “When I was diagnosed with cancer I was very frightened. I am lucky my cancer was caught in time and am very thankful for the treatment that saved my life.
 

“Taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Shine event was my way of letting people know that we are winning the battle against the disease.
 

“We had an absolutely brilliant night and the atmosphere was incredible.”
Over 3,000 walkers took part in the walk, which was officially started by

Brian Robson at Old Trafford, and organisers are now urging all those who took part to return their sponsorship money as soon as possible so the charity can hit its £500,000 target.
 

Nelson Laurencia, Cancer Research UK Shine Event Manager for Manchester, said: “Shine Manchester was a stunning event and we are incredibly grateful to inspirational individuals like Ted Poole who took part, as well as the wonderful volunteers who helped make it happen.”


To make a donation or for more information visit shinewalk.org.