A FATHER is marking the tenth anniversary of his leukaemia diagnosis with a special fund raising event

Loz Harrison was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2009 aged 44 and thought his life was over.

When his doctor broke the “heartbreaking” news at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd his first thought was for his two sons growing up without their dad.

But since then Mr Harrison has fought the illness and helped to raise more than £165,000 by setting up the Flint branch of the cancer research charity Bloodwise and cycling around 14,000 miles.

The Leader:

Loz Harrison with the bike that has helped him raise £165,000 for the cancer research charity Bloodwise. GA280519A

"For the first few years I was pretty rough but after my medication changed I’ve felt really good," said Mr Harrison, who works as a building inspector for Flintshire council.

"I thought if I was to one day have a cure it would be through research and fund raising is a vital part of that.

"I decided to turn a negative into a positive and started raising money for what was at the time Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research which is now Bloodwise.

"I set up the Flint branch of Bloodwise and we started the first North Wales Bikeathon in 2010.

"Last year we had 320 riders and this year we’re hoping for more because it is our tenth anniversary," he said.

For his fiftieth birthday Mr Harrison said a close friend asked if he would like to take on a special challenge for the charity.

They rode from Cardiff Castle to Flint Castle, Edinburgh Castle to Flint Castle and joined hundreds of riders for the annual Bloodwise London to Paris bikeathon.

Mr Harrison’s wife Tracy and son Thomas have also been training to join him for this year’s London to Paris 500km challenge.

"It is quite emotional to reach this milestone and I will be eternally grateful to my consultant and nurse specialists at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd," said Mr Harrison.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be a ten-year cancer survivor and I’d like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who has helped me.

"To celebrate this anniversary I’ve organised a disco this Saturday at the Royal British Legion in Flint for all my friends and family.

"We will be fund raising on the night and all the profits will go to Bloodwise," he said.

Donations to support the Harrison family for their London to Paris challenge can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurence-harrison3

The 10th North Wales Coast Bikeathon for Bloodwise will be held on Saturday 6 July starting at 08:30 from the Nova in Prestatyn.