A GRANDFATHER from Urmston stopped off at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (8 August) as part of an 850-mile charity cycle ride around the UK - visiting 101 Cancer Research UK sites to raise funds for the charity.

Patrick McGuire, 63, originally from Urmston, and wife Sue Duncombe, 59, who now live in Oxford, are hoping to complete the epic ride in 10 days to raise vital funds for the charity.

The couple met through Cancer Research UK after both losing a partner to cancer. Patrick lost his wife Pam to bowel cancer in 2007 and Sue’s first husband Philip died of prostate cancer on Christmas Day 2009 aged 57.

Patrick and Sue are now committed fundraisers and ambassadors for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and, after a whirlwind romance, they were married in December last year.

The cycle ride is the latest in a series of challenges and will see the pair visit 101 Cancer Research UK sites - including 98 CRUK shops and three Cancer Research UK research institutes, covering 850 miles over 13.5 days. The challenge saw the couple visit the They arrived at Manchester Cancer Research Centre, part of The University of Manchester, on august 8. While there, they met centre director Professor Richard Marais.

They also visited the CRUK shops in Withington, Knutsford, Alderley Edge, Stockport and Altrincham where Patrick met his sister Ann, who lives in Davyhulme.

Patrick, who has celebrated his 63rd birthday during the challenge, said: “I started fundraising and volunteering for CRUK following the death of my first wife, Pam, in 2007 from bowel cancer, aged just 52.

"This was a devastating experience obviously for her but also for us as a family and I was determined to try to do whatever I could to try to make sure as few people and families as possible had to go through what we went, and still live, through.

“Having both been widowed, due to our spouses dying from cancer, Sue and I both recognise the importance of CRUK’s work and want to save other families from having to go through this devastating experience.

“We thought it would be a great way to draw attention to the shops and the number signifies more than 100 drug development projects and other research that are supported by Cancer Research UK.”

Patrick, a retired senior education adviser with derbyshire county council, said: “It was very special to cycle through Manchester, a city which has always been close to my heart. I have very fond memories of growing up there in the 1960s and 70s and have loved visiting ever since, particularly getting to know modern Manchester again when my children came here for university.

“My daughter Anna was at the University of Manchester while my son Cal attended Manchester Met.

"One of Pam's ambitions in her last year was to see Anna graduate and see Cal start at university. Despite her poor health at the time, she managed both, so that time and those experiences and associations are very special to us as a family.

“Manchester has always been, and remains a vibrant, passionate and forward looking city; a city steeped in scientific, technological and social change and development.

“I visited the Manchester Cancer Research Centre on an open day shortly after it opened and was hugely impressed and very proud seeing what some of the fundraising had helped to realise. It was, therefore, devastating to hear of the fire at the Paterson Building over the road but heartening to see the resilience and determination of the wonderful staff who work there and the people of the city coming together to ensure it will once again be at the forefront of research to help beat cancer sooner.”

Cancer Research UK Fundraising Manager Tanisha Greenwood said: “Sue and Patrick are an incredible and inspiring powerhouse, their commitment to Cancer Research UK with their time and fundraising is amazing.

“The 101 CRUK Shop Cycle is the most epic challenge to date and is a real collaboration between fundraisers, trading and our research centres.

“The fight against cancer relies on every person and every pound. Sue and Patrick’s challenge inspires us to all play our part because together, we will beat cancer sooner.”