A CYCLIST who lost his brother to cancer last year has raised nearly £4,000 for pioneering new treatments to help patients’ quality of life.

Rick Wilton, 56, from Basildon, cycled nearly 969 miles over the course of 16 days to raise money for the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal at Southend Hospital.

Mr Wilton undertook the challenge between September 11 and September 29, travelling from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland, in honour of his late brother, Lee.

Finish Line - Rick after arriving at John O'Groats in ScotlandFinish Line - Rick after arriving at John O'Groats in Scotland (Image: Rick Wilton)

He said he was motivated to brave the task to fund state-of-the art radiotherapy equipment known as Surface Guided Radiation Treatment, and help cancer patients like his brother have more comfortable treatments.

Mr Wilton said: “I wanted to do something for my brother, I was going to do it last year but it got delayed.

“Every time my brother had an operation, the cancer spread somewhere else. After surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, they said there was nothing else they could do for him

“The challenge was quite rewarding, the support you get from other people keeps you going.

“My family are very proud, there’s no ifs or buts about that. I did this for my brother to honour his memory. It’s not going to help him, but for other people with the same issue, it will really help them.

“If they can do it without the uncomfortable mask, that’s got to be a win. I’m sure he’s proud.

He added he wanted to make the treatment process easier for others going through the trauma of cancer.

Mr Wilton added his family had no history of cancer six years ago, but in that time, both his parents and his two brothers were diagnosed with the disease.

The route - Rick began his long journey on September 11The route - Rick began his long journey on September 11 (Image: Rick Wilton)

Following a four-year battle with throat cancer, he said his brother passed away.

Journey's beginning - Rick begins his cycling journey for LeeJourney's beginning - Rick begins his cycling journey for Lee (Image: Rick Wilton)

The pair had previously run the Wilton Pet Centre in Basildon, before Rick left the centre, and this is now run by Lee’s children, Jack and Liv.

At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised £3,780 of its £4,000 target.

You can find the fundraiser here.