Man, 75, living 'under cloud' of prostate cancer to trek 100km

A 75-year-old man living with cancer will be walking 100km across the Sahara desert to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research.

Rodger Allen, from Wellington, Somerset, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012 and has since had throat and skin cancer.

As a retired oncology research scientist, Allen said although his background had helped him deal with the diagnosis, he would live "under the cloud" of prostate cancer for the rest of his life.

Allen said: "We need a better test for prostate cancer and this money can help go towards making that a reality."

The trek will take a week to complete, it starts and ends in Ouarzazate, Morocco, and will include five stops at different camps.

To prepare for the trek Allen has walked across Merthyr Mawr, home to the highest sand dune in Wales known as the big dipper.

Allen said the large sand dunes in the Sahara would be "the biggest challenge, especially in the likely temperatures".

Sahara desert temperatures can reach 40C during the day and drop to 0C overnight.

Allen will be joined by his son, James, and led along the route by Berber tribesmen.

Megan Smart, from Prostate Cancer Research, said the charity was "totally inspired and just motivated" by Allen and aimed to support him as much as possible.

The money raised would help "change that future for men" with prostate cancer, said Smart.

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