A CANCER survivor who works at a tool merchants is downing tools and instead picking up his walking boots to raise money for the charity who helped so much during his treatment.

Richie Owen, who lives in Llandrindod Wells, will be taking part in the Macmillan Mighty Hike in July – hiking a marathon distance (26.2 miles) over the course of a day – to raise money for the popular cancer charity.

Richie, who overcame Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after being diagnosed in 2014, knows first-hand the herculean effort it takes to overcome cancer, as well as the huge effort and support offered by Macmillan to cancer patients. Now in remission, he wants to give back, and will be hiking the Gower Peninsula on July 10, trying to raise as much money as possible.

“This awesome charity helped me when I was diagnosed back in March 2014, spending the majority of the next seven months in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, receiving multiple chemotherapies and radiotherapy,” said Richie, 39.

“Macmillan helped me during 2014 to keep up with my utility bills as I had a lack of wages coming into the house, so I feel it's only right to give a little back.

“Luckily, with their support, I was able to keep a roof over our heads and pay all our bills.”

In October 2014 he received a Stem cell transplant and he has been in remission ever since, although he still deals with side effects and will be on tablets for the rest of his life. The hike would challenge a normal fit and healthy person’s endurance, especially over such a long distance, but the fact Richie is still on the way to returning to full health adds to the mighty task in front of him.

Originally from Oswestry, Richie moved to Llandrindod three years ago with wife Hannah, who is from the Powys area. And he paid tribute to her, as well as his mum, for also getting him through his illness.

“During the times in hospital, I felt very low and emotional, always thinking that my time was up and constantly worrying about the lives of my loved ones without me,” he said.

“I was forced to stay positive and upbeat by my wife Hannah, who along with my mother Bev would visit almost every day (a 140-mile round trip). Without them I would not be here.

“I have chosen the Gower walk as, now I live in Llandrindod, it is relatively close plus I wanted a hike with a view along the way.”

Richie had originally planned to do the walk with a group of friends and colleagues from Toolstation in Llandrindod, where he works, but he says he is having to go solo after the lads essentially downed tools – although not voluntarily.

“I am now doing the hike alone as the other lads will be needed in my absence so, with this in mind, I want to try and raise as much as I possible can.

“Cancer has affected all of us in one way or another and this charity will help anyone who needs it.”

He has so far raised £280 of a £500 target. If you’d like to donate to the cause, you can visit Richie’s JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rickysmightyhike.