A STALYBRIDGE man is getting into the saddle for a charity bike ride with a difference – this time he is the patient.
Gareth Longden has completed the Manchester to Blackpool challenge before in aid of Manchester Christie Hospital.
But after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the turn of the year, he is the one getting the benefit of its expertise.
Just like his father and grandmother did in 2010/11, his dad again in 2016 and then his cousin Graham in 2020.
Gareth, 42, is undergoing a second round of chemotherapy but said: “This one is personal given I am patient and fundraiser.
“On the Wednesday before Christmas, I collapsed in work. After a few days of test and scans, I was told on Christmas Eve that I had a cancerous brain tumour.
I was then put under the care of Matt Bailey, a neurosurgeon at Salford Royal Hospital. He operated on me in mid-January and removed a large proportion of the tumour.
“After the operation, I asked Matt if he would be interested in taking part in the bike ride due to his interest in cycling, Matt said he would be willing to join me.”
Gareth has been using a static trainer at home to prepare for the ride, on Sunday, July 10 but he admitted: “Treatment – radiotherapy and chemotherapy – has made me tired but I have good and bad days.”
Gareth, a patient at Lockside Medical Centre, on Huddersfield Road, has already received the backing of his MP, Jonathan Reynolds.
And so far, his total raised stands at more than £1,300.
*PEOPLE wishing to donate can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garethplongdenmtb2022.