DEDICATED canoeist Kevin Dobson is still enjoying getting out on the canal despite being told last September he only had four to six months to live.

Mr Dobson, 61, set himself the challenge of completing the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race in April but despite coronavirus putting an end to that ambition he has continued to fundraise for Dorothy House.

He has now raised more than £11,000 and thousands more has been added by others who have done their own fundraising challenges to support him.

Rob Rawlings, Mr Dobson’s boss at Wessex Water in Bath raised £3,000 by taking part in a virtual running of the Bath Half Marathon as part of the Dorothy House team.

Mr Dobson, who is a former chairman of Devizes Canoe Club, is pleased that a lifting in Government lockdown restrictions means he can once again back out on the canal.

He said: “I am just living from day to day now. If I can get to June 10 that would be a big milestone as that would be my nine month anniversary of being diagnosed. I have a rare form of cancer and the chemotherapy is no longer working.

“I am enjoying the good weather, being with my family and getting out on the canal with my son Edward or a friend.”

Mr Dobson, who is married to Ann Slator who is also a canoe club stalwart, is pleased that all of his children including daughters Robin and Emily, who lived abroad, are now at nearby.

He said: “We are enjoying being together. I set myself little targets to reach but try not to dwell on my health.”

Earlier this year when he was training for the Devizes to Westminster race he said: “When I got my cancer diagnosis in September one of my earliest thoughts was, “when is the Devizes to Westminster Race?”

“My prognosis was abysmal and the race in April was outside my expected survival period. When I’m in the canoe, it’s fine, and so far we’ve done really well. We’ve even competed with other people in our canoe club.

Mr Dobson, who gave up his career as a solicitor to become a lorry driver for Wessex Water in Bath, is raising money for Dorothy House hospice in Winsley who have supported him and his family.

He said: “Dorothy House has been an excellent source of advice and help for me. My nurse specialist Sarah comes to see me every week or so and deals with my pain which is an essential part of my care.

“Chris, the physiotherapist has been really helpful in advising on how best to manage my exercise.”

Verity Clark, Community Fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care said: “We’re all in awe of Kevin’s determination.

“His tremendous fundraising efforts will enable Dorothy House to provide local patients and families with well over two hundred hours of nursing care and support from our Nurse Specialist team across the local community.” Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-dobson2.