YOU'VE heard of the singing postman – well, Felixstowe's Tony Lazell is the pedalling postie with a big heart.And in the past three years, Tony has used his time on two wheels to excellent effect and raised more than £2,000 to help the county's cancer sufferers.

By Richard Cornwell

YOU'VE heard of the singing postman – well, Felixstowe's Tony Lazell is the pedalling postie with a big heart.

And in the past three years, Tony has used his time on two wheels to excellent effect and raised more than £2,000 to help the county's cancer sufferers.

He became involved with the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk after meeting former Ipswich Town player Jason Cundy and being inspired by the soccer star's own courageous fight against the disease.

"I had a long chat with Jason and his wife about his condition," said Mr Lazell, of Hamilton Road, Felixstowe. "I told him that I wanted to raise money for charity and he was very supportive and encouraged me a great deal.

"I found the way he had tackled his cancer very inspiring and encouraging – not just the courage he showed in dealing with his illness, but the brave way he has publicised it to help others know about cancer and look out for signs."

Mr Lazell, a postman at Felixstowe, took part in the sponsored 50-mile London to Brighton cycle ride in 1999, completing the distance in around nine hours.

Since then he has twice more done the trip for the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, knocking around an hour off his time, and also ridden in the London to Southend cycle challenge. Other fundraising events he has done include a sponsored head shave.

"I really enjoy helping charity and the cycle rides are great fun. I do a bit of training for them – but probably not as much as I should do!" said Tony, an officer in the Felixstowe St John Ambulance.

Cancer Campaign in Suffolk is currently raising funds to build a Cancer Education and Information Centre for the county and has raised £200,000 towards its target of £300,000.

Anyone wanting to help with fundraising should contact Gina Cooper at the appeal office on 01728 723725.

WEBLINK: www.cancerinsuffolk.co.uk