In February this year my Dad was experiencing nothing more than regular indigestion. A Radio 4 story about oesophageal cancer prompted him to go and get it checked out. Just in case.

8 weeks later he was having his cancerous oesophagus completely removed at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. While they had him open they moved his stomach up above his diaphragm and reshaped it to form a new food pipe. It was an extremely invasive procedure and the recovery time is many months. He’s now progressing steadily at home.

I'd like to say thanks to the Oesophago Gastric Cancer Fund at the RVI.

That’s the only reason I’m supporting G. Randy Parts as he attempts the Dunwich Dynamo – a 200km cycle ride through the night from Hackney, London, to the Suffolk coast. It’s a ridiculous challenge for Randy, he’s basically bodged together from 2.2 scrap bikes without any welding at all. He’s heavy and stupid looking too. It will be a miracle if he makes it.

You don’t have to donate; it’s a charity far away that I hadn’t heard of 4 months ago. But you’re here now so you’re obviously thinking about it... It will make a difference.

Thank you,

Sam and Randy