AFTER seeing his mum and aunt devastated by cancer, Matthew Goodman has vowed to go 1,000 miles to help beat the disease.
The 31-year-old from Fairview is aiming to run, swim and cycle the distance to raise money for a cancer research charity.
This follows his aunt Sandra Masters, 64, recently being diagnosed with breast cancer, after his mum Sue overcame the same condition.
Matthew has vowed to complete the mammoth task before the end of September to raise at least £2,000 for Break Through Breast Cancer charity.
He has just completed the Olympic-length London Triathlon, and is already looking forward to the Cheltenham Half Marathon to make up the distance.
He has done about 560 miles so far, and will complete his challenge through various events in the coming months.
He said: "It's something that is very close to my heart, especially when I was only 15 years old when mum was diagnosed.
"It was a very tough time for the family, certainly very difficult. It was just a massive shock for all of us, just out of the blue really."
He added: "Tasking part in triathlons and extreme challenges is nothing compared to battling cancer."
Sue, 57, from Lansdown, had treatment at Cheltenham General Hospital after she was diagnosed in August 1997, finishing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments a year later.
She has been in remission since 2003, and is now looking to use her experience to help her sister-in-law, Sandra, who was told in March this year she had breast cancer.
Sue said: "I was really shocked when I was first told. I never thought cancer would happen to me.
"I'm reasonably healthy and I was incredibly worried about my children when I was told I had breast cancer.
"It was a very uncertain time for us then, and I kept thinking about my children."
Sandra, who is married to Sue's younger brother, David, is currently in France receiving treatment.
Sue said: "We are very close, even before she was diagnosed with the cancer.
"I know what she is going through, because I've been through it myself.
"It is a real roller coaster ride, both emotionally and physically, so we want to be there for her and make sure she gets through it.
"We are always in contact with each other, and I will have some advice for her when we speak next."
Matthew, who is the eldest of three children, was getting ready to do his GCSEs when he found out his mum was suffering from the illness.
After seeing her battle back, he was inspired to pick up the challenges to raise money for charity.
He said: "Mum has been a massive support for my aunt, because she knows what it's like.
"The family has to get through this together, and we are quite a strong unit.
"I think it's important to have family and good friends around you, and having somebody who has been through it and knows what it is like."
Sue said she was incredibly proud of her son for raising the money.
She added: "He has always been quite a competitive boy, and likes a good challenge, and he is rising to all of them now."
To support Matthew with a donation, visit his web page at justgiving.com/MattTheFizGoodman.
