A Bradford on Avon man who receives treatment for leukaemia at Royal United Hospital Bath is taking part in the Mad Dash 5k, at Bath Spa University on Sunday, to support the hospital’s campaign to raise £5m for a pioneering new cancer treat- ment centre.

Daniel Henchman, 24, of Huntingdon Street, was diagnosed with leukaemia in November last year while working in Frankfurt, in Germany, as a translator.

Since then, he has moved back to his family home in Bradford on Avon and has been receiving regular treatment at the RUH’s cancer unit.

Now Mr Henchman and his family are taking part in the 5k challenge around Bath Spa University’s campus to support the hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal which is aiming to raise at least £5m to build a new cancer care unit at the RUH.

Mr Henchman, who will be supported at the event by mother Catherine, 63, sister Emma, 43 and brother Patrick, 20, said: “I really want to give something back to the hospital, and in particular, the ward where I have been treated, as all the staff have been fantastic to me.

“This is obviously a cause I have a great personal attachment to and I’ve seen first hand how much they would benefit from some extra funding.”

Mr Henchman said he is gradually feeling better after six months of treatment and he will be on a maintenance programme for the next three years.

Mother Catherine Henchman, 63, who retired from her job as a teaching assistant at Southwick Primary School soon after her son was diagnosed, said: “His illness turned everyone’s life upside down, but I know he will recover from this as he has the most amazing support from so many friends and family and he is so determined.

“I am immensely proud of him as he has shown such courage and strength throughout the past six months and continues to view his future very positively.”

So far, Mr Henchman and his family have raised £995 towards the campaign and on the day of the dash his other sister Ginny, 41, will be donating some money raised from a vintage clothing fair.

To sponsor Mr Henchman in the Mad Dash 5k, visit www.justgiving.com/dan-henchman.