A YOUNG cancer survivor has raised thousands of pounds for charity by completing a marathon which he initially trained for while having chemotherapy.

Tom Williams, 24, of Clacton, tackled the Brighton Marathon last Sunday, finishing the 26.2-mile race in roughly four hours and 46 minutes.

He took on the gruelling challenge in aid of Cancer Research and his efforts inspiringly generated more than £3,100 in donations for the charity.

“It was really, really tough and definitely the hardest thing I have ever done,” admitted Tom, a commercial salesman for Ford.

“I am definitely proud of what I have achieved and the fundraising and the sponsorships have been the icing on the cake.

“Thank you to everyone for all the donations and especially thank you to my family and friends for helping me get through it all.”

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Tom first started training for the Brighton Marathon during the latter months of 2019, with a view of taking part in the 2020 version of the event.

But last year’s run, which kicks-off from Brighton beach, was subsequently cancelled as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom’s ability to participate in any strenuous activity, however, was thrown into doubt before the event’s postponement, when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Despite having to have one of his testicles removed and enduring chemotherapy remarkable Tom remained determined to tackle the road race.

In between treatment sessions he continued to run as much as four-miles a day in preparation for the event, although he was advised to take it easy.

Thankfully, in May 2020, Tom was given the all-clear and has been in remission ever since, having finished his treatment a week before the first lockdown.

He added: “I stored up all the pain and emotion of having to go through cancer and then I used that as fuel for the marathon and that is was drove me through it.

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“Going through cancer changes your perspective massively and it makes you decide what you want to do because tomorrow is not promised.

“I have since gone back to work, which I am really enjoying, and for me life is just really good at the moment.

“Just to get through the marathon from where I was is amazing, because I had to build back from nothing, but we’ve also raised loads of money and I’ve done my bit.”