A Felixstowe man's plan to cycle 65 miles at the age of 65 to raise money for the cause that helped him recover from his own health battles has got out of hand.

Peter Blemings, 65, was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery, followed by a 12 month course of immunotherapy in 2020.

Thankfully, since then, his regular scans and check-ups have been clear.

"I'm so relieved and grateful," he said.

Ipswich Star: Peter Blemings with his grandchildrenPeter Blemings with his grandchildren (Image: Contributed)

Sadly, however, during 2021, two close friends lost their wives to cancer and he learned of one whilst cycling the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust ride from Felixstowe to Framsden - a 40 mile trek and his longest ever cycle ride to date which, he says, took in 20 churches and one pub (of course).

"That morning I decided I would do something to try and raise funds for cancer charities and on reaching 65 earlier this year I thought that I could perhaps cycle 65 miles at 65 years," he explained.

"I discussed my thoughts with two close cycling friends who kindly offered to help me and we decided that we would cycle from their home to my home."

The only issue is that Cameron Brook and Gary Owens live 100 miles away near Buckden Marina in Cambridgeshire.

Oh well. Peter is doing it anyway.

Buckden Marina is close to Peter's heart as it is how he met Cameron and Gary after they were part of a group that helped bring the marina out of administration in the late 1990s. 

Their ride will finish in Felixstowe where Peter lives since being involved with the renovation of the former Bartlet Convalescent Home between 2012 and 2016.

The ride takes place on August 11-12 with an overnight stop in Long Melford.

To sponsor Peter, visit his go fund me page.

He plans to split the proceeds between Cancer Research UK and Cancer Campaign in Suffolk.