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Cancer survivor Darryl Coats is riding 500 miles to raise cash for young sufferers

CANCER survivor Darryl Coats is setting off on a 500-mile bike ride from Malmesbury to raise money for young cancer sufferers and to celebrate five years of good health.

Mr Coates, 43, who is known by his friends and family as Buzz, was diagnosed with leukaemia five years ago.

At one point during his six months in the Bath Royal United Hospital he died, but was brought back to life by doctors.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the blood cancer after visiting the doctor with a groin strain.

Now he will be putting his new found fitness to the test and cycling 500 miles in just five days to raise money for Clic Sargent.

Mr Coates, who lives in Parklands, with his partner Marie, 35 and two children Jacques, seven, and Nicole, nine, said: "I wanted to do it for Clic Sargent because when I had my down days it was the children in hospital that picked me up. They are an inspiration to anyone who is seriously ill.'' "At one point I died but they managed to bring me back. I had internal bleeding and my lungs filled up but I pulled through thankfully."

He will set off from his office in Malmesbury and will travel to Warrington, Blackpool, Preston, Rochdale and Manchester before going back south to Woking.

"My company was so supportive when I was diagnosed so I decided to travel around all of the offices in the country," he said.

"When you're in hospital it can be very claustrophobic and I was always thinking about cycling. I can't wait to get started and I feel really fit now."

Mr Coates has already raised £1,000 and hopes to hit £5,000 by the time he sets off on June 2.

Sponsor him at www.justgiving.com/buzzcoates.

1:37pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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