French connection for charity cyclists

9:05am Monday 4th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A CANCER survivor is cycling 600 miles across France to raise much-needed cash for a national charity.

Andrew Happle, who is a science teacher at The Hurst Community College, in Baughurst, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May last year.

While lying in a hospital bed, he decided he wanted to do something to raise awareness of the disease as well as funds to help fight it.

A year on, the 32-year-old has set off on his bicycle with two friends on a "Basingstoke 2 Biarritz" bike ride, to raise money for male cancer charity Orchid and St Luke's Cancer Centre, at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, in Guildford, where he was treated.

Mr Happle, of Cowdery Heights, Old Basing, said that while breast cancer checks are widely known about, there is much less awareness of testicular cancer.

"I had never considered before that I should check myself regularly," he explained.

"I think it's something that men tend to ignore or try to forget about, but I think it's important to check yourself because I'm fit and healthy and it managed to knock me down completely."

The adventurer, who lives with his wife, Angela, and three-year-old daughter Eloise, set off on his challenge with Darren Walker and Jonathan Perkins - team members of The Mountain Goat Wanderers rugby sevens team.

The trio, who have already raised more than £7,000 between them, plan to cover about 100 miles each day and hope to reach Biarritz in five-and-a-half days.

They are staying at campsites along the way to keep costs down and will get a lift back in a van with their crew.

Anyone who wants to make a donation or to find out more can visit www.mountaingoatwanderers.org.uk