A COURAGEOUS father-of-three diagnosed with a rare cancer defied the odds to finish a famous gruelling run - 24 hours after his final radiotherapy treatment.

Laurence Oakley-Ward, affectionately known as Laf to his family and friends, took on the epic ten-mile military charity run Paras’10.

The gruelling endurance race is based on the Parachute Regiment’s test week and those brave enough to have a go complete the course in boots and carrying a 35lb pack.

They can also take it on without the bergen and boots, but it is by no means any more pleasurable.

Seven months after being diagnosed with a rare and devastating liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, Colchester resident Laf successfully completed the daunting challenge.

Just 24 hours before, the 38-year-old was receiving his final radiotherapy treatment for his cancer at University College Hospital, London.

His fundraising effort has now smashed his initial target of £500, having raised more than £1,000 and still rising with the money going to AMMF, the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity.

Crossing that finish line was far from an easy journey for Laf.

It followed hard on the heels of 13 months of exhausting hospital visits and tests, including endoscopies, colonoscopies, and numerous blood tests and difficult treatments, which began in September 2020 at Colchester Hospital.

He was first admitted after going to A&E having felt unwell at his daughter’s eighth birthday party.

Devastatingly, the results of tests carried out by hospital staff immediately required Laf to be put on a drip and taken to a ward, where he remained for eight days for further detailed examination by specialists.

In December, he was told he might require surgery, and possibly even a liver transplant. Then, in March 2021, some seven months later, Laf received his cancer diagnosis.

Frightened at the prospect of what might lie ahead, just one week later, the situation then took a more positive note as Laf was contacted by world renowned cholangiocarcinoma specialists.

Under their expert care, Laf started an intensive treatment plan involving chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“My diagnosis came as a real shock but I was going to fight it all the way,” said Laf.

“I couldn’t have had better expert care than that of the experts, who not only moved quickly to put me on the right treatment pathway but gave me a more hopeful outlook.

“It’s thanks to them I am here today and had the confidence to take part in my second Paras’10 race. I plan on running my third in May 2022.

“It not only gave me something positive to focus on, but I also wanted to raise as much awareness as possible about this little-known cancer and fundraise for AMMF.

“The future is already looking far brighter.”

Helen Morement, AMMF’s chief executive officer, described Laf’s effort as “inspirational”.

“Laurence’s inspirational fundraising endeavour is nothing short of remarkable, especially when you hear it was done the day after his final radiotherapy treatment,” she said.

“He really has shown incredible courage, and not only raised much-needed funds for AMMF, but awareness of the devastating but little known cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

“The incidence of this bile duct cancer appears to be increasing across all age groups, including younger people, so there is an urgent need for research to find the causes of this disease so we can develop better diagnostic tests and more effective treatments.

“We are enormously grateful to Laurence for his invaluable support which will help AMMF continue its vital work.”

To donate to Laf’s fundraising effort visit, uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LafWard/4.