A MAN who lost his wife to cancer is to set off on an epic walk in her memory.

Phil Brierley, of Bolton Road, Daren, is hoping to raise as much cash as possible for the walk, from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He hopes to hand the cash over to two charities and help research into the condition that took his wife's life.

The punishing walk is all in memory of Sue, who passed away after suffering from a malignant melanoma in March 2002 at the age of 44.

Phil, 51, said: "She had skin cancer, but when Sue was diagnosed it never showed on the skin.

"She found a small lump under her arm, had that removed, but it was already found to be advanced."

The cancer had spread to Sue's brain and she started treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester. Normal chemotherapy cannot help the condition, so she took part in trials, having the treatment in pill form.

But even the special drugs could not help and she passed away at home, leaving Phil and their three children.

Phil, who is self employed, said: "It was diagnosed in May 2001 and we didn't know she had it in her brain until September the same year. Unfortunately it was just a matter of time.

"The family were just devastated because she was a fit lady. She didn't smoke, she drank only socially and she didn't worship the sun. We could not understand how she had got it.

"It devastated all of us to see her go from being fit to losing her nine months later. I lost her at home, she wasn't in hospital."

After Sue's death Phil decided to try and raise some money to help research the condition. After unsuccessfully trying to start up his own charity, he decided to do the walk, which he hopes to complete in the summer.

He said: "A few months went by and I tried to get my head into gear. I thought I must do something and Land's End to John O'Groats is quite a stroll. I hope to raise a considerable amount."

Phil is looking for any sponsorship, especially from businesses who may be able to supply equipment for the trip. Each night he will be camping with a colleague, who is carrying out the walk too.

To contact Phil ring him on 07984 041034. Money raised will go to Cancer Research UK and to melanoma research.