A LOCAL businessman will soon begin his cycle from London to Paris, with hopes to raise funds for the Southampton University cancer immunology unit.

This comes after his father-in-law Bob Hookway was treated by the unit when he had malignant melanoma - a type of skin cancer - and is now cancer-free.

Novice cyclist Sean Whelan decided to take on the challenge after finding out that immunotherapy, a newly-developed cancer treatment that works on the immune system as an alternative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, helped to successfully treat his father-in-law.

Sean wants to raise awareness of immunotherapy after losing his father to lung cancer in 2003, and will start the cycle on Wednesday July 24.

He said: “My father passed away when this treatment was not an option, so you can imagine my concern when I was told the news about Bob - I naturally thought the worst.

"However, the successful treatment with the immunotherapy at Southampton General Hospital was incredible.

Sean added: "Since then, I have been trying to raise awareness of the treatment and the ground-breaking successes they are having in the treatment of many cancers, so the funds raised from this ride will go towards essential costs of the running of the centre and equipment to perform the treatments."

78-year-old father-in-law Bob Hookway said: "I'm one of the lucky ones to have been one of the first to try immunotherapy and going to the Southampton unit was one of the best things I ever did, as they saved my life.

"What Sean is doing is absolutely fantastic and I love him for it - the unit need all the money they can get to help to cure cancer."

This is the second year that Sean will ride to Paris after raising over £10,000 in last year's challenge, but said he has only been cycling for two years so he is "not a professional".

So far, he has raised at least £2,285 of his £2,500 target before the race has started.

Staff from Southampton University cancer immunology unit celebrated Sean's upcoming challenge on Monday July 8 to show their support.

Professor Tim Elliott, Director of the Centre for Cancer Immunology, said: "We are thrilled to be sending Sean off with best wishes from all the team at the centre - his drive and sheer determination to make a positive contribution is typical of many of our supporters.

"Our centre relies heavily on people like Sean who help to raise funds to support the ongoing success of the centre and I will be watching with interest as he makes his way to Paris."

Sean will be riding for four days, expecting to complete the cycle by Sunday July 28.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sean-whelan8.