A ROSSETT man is running, cycling and swimming more than 1,500 miles to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Charity after his father was diagnosed with the disease.

Matthew Bennett, 33, a garden shop worker at Bellis Bros Ltd, Holt, hopes to raise £250,000 for the charity as part of a month long triathlon, which begins tomorrow, Friday, May 1.

The Herculean task will coincide with The Prostate Cancer Charity’s first Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with four weeks of partnerships, activities and events.

Beginning in Gibraltar, Matthew will do a 12-mile swim to the shores of Morocco, North Africa.

He will then take a boat back to Gibraltar and cycle 1,400 miles through France to Calais over 16 days.

The final leg of his journey will be a 180 mile run from the charity’s office in Hammersmith, London, to Chester.

Matthew said: “After my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost three years ago, I was inspired to do something to raise awareness of the disease, which is the most common cancer in men in the UK. The disease could affect your partner, father, son, uncle, brother, cousin or friend.

“I have a one-year-old daughter and my second child is due two and a half weeks before I begin the challenge. It has been hard at times to find the time to train since I began at the end of July. However, I have been gradually increasing my training and have worked with professional trainers to improve my fitness.

“Without doubt the swim to Morocco will be the toughest part of this challenge. I feel excited about the challenge and raising awareness of prostate cancer – a cause close to my heart.”

You can support Matthew by visiting www.justgiving.com/matthewbennett1.