FRIENDS and colleagues of a Wrexham man will be walking from Manchester to Hawarden in a bid to raise funds for vital treatment in Europe.

The team from National Police Air Service (NPAS) set off on Tuesday from their base in Manchester and aim to arrive at the base in Flintshire on Friday, November 11, as part of a wider fundraising mission for Gareth James.  

Mr James and his wife are planning to join the final leg of the walk on Friday, from Ellesmere Port to Hawarden.

The walk is one of a number of events planned over the coming weeks to help raise money as part of a JustGiving campaign, set up after Mr James was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer (CRC), which had spread to his liver.

Mr James, along with the help of family and friends, is now hoping to raise £40,000 to help fund the treatment not available on the NHS.

Despite being told in January 2021, that the only treatment available was palliative, Mr James made a number of major lifestyle changes and self-funded integrated cancer treatments, which, in the end meant Mr James was able to undergo an eight hour operation at Aintree Hospital in a bid to remove the cancer. 

Despite the initial success of the operation, scans showed that the cancer had returned to his liver in 2022. 

On his JustGiving page Mr James said: “In order to have any hope of a cure for the cancer, I will need to travel abroad to Europe to obtain the necessary intervention, which are not available in the UK.

“I am convinced that had I had earlier intervention my cancer would not have progressed as far as it had – an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure after all.

"I had been going to the doctors with an upset stomach for almost two years before being diagnosed.

"By the time it was picked up, the bowel cancer had spread to my liver, meaning it was very difficult to treat. 

"if you notice any changes in bowel habit, or suffer with an upset stomach etc, don't ignore it, go to the doctors to get a check up or visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/

“I want to spread the message that you need to get checked out if you’re worried and don’t take no for an answer.

“My own journey has shown me that by simple lifestyle changes almost anyone can benefit their health and wellbeing and potentially prevent many chronic diseases occurring in the first place.”

If you would like to donate to Gareth James’ JustGiving page visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bowelcancercyclist?

A music event called Gaztonbury (www.Gaztonbury.com) will also be staged at Rossett Village Hall on November 26 at 7.30pm to help raise money.

It is sponsored by RobRyanRed, Wrexham AFC’s podcaster. 

Beech Avenue Brewery will be running the bar and the headline act on the night will be Rhythm Train, supported by local band Hypenotic.

Tickets for the event are available at Gaztonbury.com

Family members have also been making crafts to be sold in the community.

Other events have included a cake sale, which so far has raised nearly £700.

A sponsored bike ride is planned for the Spring of 2023 around Cheshire.