A CYCLIST from Widnes is preparing to travel hundreds of miles from Vietnam to Cambodia for a cancer charity in her late husband’s memory.

Maureen Herdman-Grant will set off on the five-day trek, covering 360km from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, on November 2.

The 71-year-old will be raising funds for Children’s Cancer Charity CLIC Sargent in memory of John Price, who died of Hodgkin Lymphoma on October 6, 1969 aged just 21.

The couple had married in May of that year.

Urging our readers to sponsor her for the ride from Vietnam to Cambodia, Maureen told Runcorn & Widnes World: "I support the charity, first of all because of the work they do but also because I know what it's like when cancer to takes someone before their time.

"John was well known in Widnes, a keen a amateur footballer and semi-professional guitarist, having played in local groups almost from his school days at Bankfield.

"I'd like to ask your readers if they remember John, or even if they never knew him.

"Please sponsor me in his memory for this challenge.

"I have paid all my own expenses for this adventure, none of the donations will be used to fund it."

On preparing for the ride, Maureen continued: "I started preparing in May this year, first of all going out on my bike twice a week for half an hour, seeing how far I could go, turning around and coming home.

"I did that for a month, going a bit further each time. In June I started riding for an hour before turning around. Now I do that on alternate days; hardly scientific but it works for me.

"I have a week of doing that ride every day coming up, just wish it would stop raining."

CLIC Sargent helps when cancer strikes young lives, by providing specialist nurses, young people’s social workers and care teams providing support tailored to families’ individual needs.

Maureen said: "John had to travel from his home in Widnes for treatment at the old Clatterbridge Hospital which, in those days wasn't easy.

"CLIC Sargent Home from Home are houses where the families can stay at no cost during treatment and some cases for out patient appointments.

"One is planned and for the North West and when completed, no date yet, will serve the Liverpool to Manchester area.

"I always thought that what happened to us wouldn't happen these days, that treatments were better and young people were cured.

"Sadly that isn’t the case."

To sponsor Maureen, visit www.just giving/fundraising/Maureen-Herdman-Grant1