A WELL-known Williton resident, recently diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, is walking at least two miles a day around the district to raise money for prostate cancer research.

Chris Webb plans to complete his target of 56 miles during February as part of a cancer awareness campaign organised by Prostate Cancer UK.

“I expected to raise about £50 if I was lucky but people are being incredibly generous and the total is now over £1,000,” said Chris, 73, whose active life as a sailor and sea-rower was shattered by the shock discovery of prostate cancer last July, only three months after routine tests had given him the all-clear.

“I refuse to be downhearted about it,” said Chris. “There are new treatments coming out all the time and fund-raising for research is one positive thing I can do to improve the chances of future generations - currently one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Walking in our countryside is a great way to raise money. Recently, on a good day, I walked from Blue Anchor to Dunster and back - twice the target distance,” said Chris, who is married to former Free Press reporter Cilla.

After a career in the merchant navy, Chris ran a successful Williton-based boiler service business, CW Heating Services, until his retirement seven years ago. A sailor for many years, he also co-founded and ran the Watchet Boat Owners’ Association sea-rowing section until recently.

WBOA treasurer Martin Stevens said this week: “Chris has long been a valuable member of the association and it’s typical that despite his own problems he is thinking of others. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

To support Chris’s fundraising walk visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/8950236601721124/?fundraiser_source=external_url or Google Christopher Webb Facebook and scroll down.