CHAPMANSLADE man Ben Hinchliffe who has battled cancer twice is facing a new challenge by attempting to walk 21 miles and give something back to Bath’s Royal United Hospital, which has treated him through his illnesses.

The 32-year-old of High Street was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia – a cancer of the white blood cells – at the age of just four and by the age of seven had to undergo a bone transplant from older brother Nick.

After various treatments and hospital visits over the years, Mr Hinchliffe learnt last April that he had bowel cancer leading to the removal of most of his bowel.

It was while undergoing chemotherapy that he set himself the goal of completing the 21 mile hike as part of the Forever Friends Appeal's Walk of Life along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Mr Hinchliffe, who underwent a CT scan in January which came back negative, said: “I’m doing this because I absolutely want to put back in what the RUH have given to me and help them get their new cancer centre.

“They are very supportive, they have always been there for me even when I was down they would come and talk to me.

“It was devastating that I got it [cancer] again but I’ve beaten it once, I’m beating it now and if I got it again I’d beat it again.”

Mr Hinchliffe will attempt to complete the walk, along with family and friends, despite suffering from numbness to his feet and hands as well as fatigue.

Money raised will go towards funding the RUH’s £8.5million new cancer centre which will transform care for local patients and families.

The walk will take place on May 16 with walkers able to choose between nine, 12 or 21 mile routes from Devizes Wharf to Sydney Gardens in Bath.

Mr Hinchliffe’s mum Sally said: “It’s great that he’s doing this event.

“He saw the event before his chemotherapy, I think in the foyer at the RUH on a leaflet and he decided then and there to do it, kind of as a goal to aim towards.

“There was never an option of not trying to do the full 21miles and doing the nine or twelve miles instead.”

To make a donation to Mr Hinchliffe, visit www.justgiving.com/Ben-Hinchliffe2