62-year-old Paul Harrison, from Ilkley, has never been afraid of setting off on an adventure, from sailing across the Atlantic, to travelling to Antarctica in a 110-year-old sailing ship.

In winter 2019, while in Antarctica, Paul noticed he had a sore throat but didn’t think much of it. However, when it kept coming back after several weeks, he decided to go to the GP.

He was then referred to the Head and Neck Specialist team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals where doctors discovered he had a malignant tumour at the base of his tongue, which had spread to his lymph glands. 

Paul was shocked by his diagnosis, but completely amazed by the team who cared for him throughout his journey:

“I was made to feel special, like I was the only patient they were caring for. The whole team came together like a well-oiled machine, and I was amazed that just five months later after two surgeries and daily radiotherapy sessions, I had finished my treatment! I’m so thankful that I narrowly avoided being in hospital before the COVID-19 outbreak, I may have had a very different journey.”

To thank the staff who saved his life, Paul is taking on an epic fundraising challenge just 18 months into his remission. From the 25^th to 27^th September, Paul will run the 84-mile Hadrian's wall path from the east coast to the west coast of England in three days – more than three marathons!

Mr James Moor, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals says:

"It is fantastic to hear that Paul is tackling this the Hadrian's Wall run as a fundraising event. As a trainee surgeon I lived in a house alongside part of the route so I know exactly how difficult it will be! However, I remember that he harnessed his incredibly positive attitude when he was faced with what was intensely gruelling cancer treatment, so it is no surprise that he's taking on this challenge. I have every confidence that he'll get through and complete this journey as he did with his cancer treatment journey. Good luck Paul, and don't forget to take some blister plasters!"

Paul has raised a phenomenal £3,450 for Leeds Hospitals Charity to support the amazing work of our NHS heroes in the Head and Neck Clinic at Leeds Cancer Centre. His wife Debbie will be cycling the route alongside him to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

You can donate to Paul’s fundraising page here https://leedshospitalscharity.enthuse.com/pf/paul-harrison