A DARWEN man whose father died of cancer is hoping to take part in a trek to Everest base camp in his memory.

Calum Rigby, 31, of Prospect Avenue, decided to take part in the Cancer Research UK challenge while his dad, John Rigby, was suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer.

But after seemingly getting better, John took a turn for the worse and died two weeks ago at the age of 57.

Many friends and relatives -- including his wife Anne, Calum, daughter Mhairi and grandchildren Jaime and Oliver -- packed into Pleasington Crematorium for his funeral.

People were asked to make donations to East Lancs Hospice or Macmillan Cancer Relief in memory of John, who was a delivery driver and warehouse worker at Hall and Letts, Blackburn. Now Calum, who works at the Scope charity shop in Preston, plans to continue with his plans to raise money for research into cancer in the hope of helping others.

He will be joining a group of volunteers who will take part in the strenuous trek to the Everest base camp which has spectacular Himalayan views.

He said: "When my dad found out he had cancer, the trek was my way of helping him because there's not a lot else you can do.

"Now that he has died I want to do it for the next person down the line in the hope that my little contribution will mean they don't have to go through the same thing as he did.

"My dad was diagnosed with cancer which spread through his blood quite quickly.

"He had chemotherapy and seemed to be getting better and he even went back to work.

"He was re-diagnosed with terminal cancer and in the end it was only three weeks from him being re-diagnosed to his death.

"I am hoping to do the trek up Everest in 2007 so it gives me enough time to save the £3,500 I need to have raised before I go.

"I will also have to do a lot of training before I go.

I'd been watching the Himalayas TV series with Michael Palin and I just thought 'Wow, I've got to go there'.

"Then I found out more about the Cancer Research Everest trek.

"I've already had people putting their name down to sponsor me and I'm hoping more get in touch."

The trek will last three weeks and is expected to take place around the Easter period in 2007.

Calum's training will involve lots of hill and distance walking with weights on his back to get used to the conditions he will face.

Anyone who wants to help Calum should contact him on 07791 005938.