AN Ashton-on-Mersey schoolteacher has taken time out from shaping the academic development of future Manchester United stars to launch a personal crusade aimed at raising awareness of cancer.

John Canny, who can count Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard among those he has helped as a form tutor at Ashton-on-Mersey Secondary School, was diagnosed with bowel cancer shortly before Christmas.

Rather than put everything else on hold while he underwent chemotherapy, however, he threw himself into a campaign that began with the purchase of an advertising hoarding at Altrincham Football Club's J.Davidson Stadium.

Explaining why he chose Alty's Moss Lane venue as a launchpad, he said: 'My niece goes out with footballer Kyle Brownhill, and when he joined Alty we decided to start watching their games.

"The first was on Boxing Day, and I noticed a prostate cancer advert on the far side and a gap just to the right of it. I just thought what a great opportunity to get the message across about bowel cancer and the importance of catching it early.

'It needed paying for, of course, but one of my pals, Billy West, suggested a weight loss competition for January, with each competitor putting in £25 and the winner getting a bottle of champagne.

"Family and friends donated as well, and we raised £265. The sign should have been £350, but the guy who did it, Joe Faulkner of Sign and Display in Gatley, kindly made up the shortfall.

"It's ready to go up now, but this is just the start. My wife Kath and her brother Dave Ryder are doing the Trafford 10k run for bowel cancer. They've already raised £1100 and would welcome more donations at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kathryn-Ryder1.

"On top of that, United send their scholars to our school, so I'm hoping to go to Carrington and put some signs up and get the lads to wear our t-shirts, to generate more publicity.

'I just want to get the message across that early detection is paramount. I thought I was fine, but I started having irregular bowel movements and feeling some restriction, so I had a colonoscopy and a tumour was discovered.

"I'm halfway through chemo, and hopefully it has been caught early enough.

'It can be beaten if it's tackled straightaway, and I want everyone to know, including Alty fans. Perhaps they will reflect on that every time they see the board. I hope so, because it's something we all need to be mindful of and ready to act on at the first sign."