A CANCER survivor will cycle more than 200 miles with his friend to raise money for charity.

Vinny Vesty will ride from London to Manchester in aid of The Christie along with Allan Jones.

Mr Vesty has been treated by the hospital twice — first after being diagnosed with bowel cancer more than two years ago and again after developing a liver problem.

Mr Jones and Mr Vesty work together at Greenhalgh’s Lostock site as maintenance engineers, and have been friends for 10 years.

The idea came up in conversation between the pair, when Mr Jones joked to his friend that they should cycle from London to Manchester after he was given the all-clear last summer.

A pipe dream quickly became a reality, and now they will cycle for four days, starting in London’s Trafalgar Square on July 20 and finishing in Manchester’s Albert Square on July 24.

Mr Vesty, aged 53, of Rutland Street, Leigh, said: “I’m really looking forward for it — I’ve been wanting to do this for years.

“I’m very confident that we’ll do it. It’s not going to be easy, but when something like this comes up, you have to go for it.

“I feel I owe The Christie. When I went there, I saw how many people are helped by them and it made me want to give something back.”

Mr Jones, aged 52, of West Street, Farnworth, paid tribute to his friend’s resilience.

He said: “I’ve got so much respect for Vinny. A lot of people who are fit wouldn’t even attempt to do what he’s doing.

“I never thought in a million years we would do it, but here we are. I’m certainly looking forward to having a drink after we’ve finished!

“We need as many people as possible to get behind us.”

Mr Vesty’s daughter Sarah, aged 22, said: “I’m really proud of my dad for what he’s doing.

“It shows that it doesn’t matter what you go through, you can get through it and carry on.”

To donate towards Mr Vesty and Mr Jones’s bike ride or find out more, visit www.justgiving.com/vinnyandallan.