A grandad grateful to be alive as a survivor of cancer at the age of 80 is tackling a months-long challenge to thank those who cared for him.

Terry Coote has started to walk more than half-a-mile every day for the next four months to raise funds for King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity to pay for specialist medical equipment to help others.

Terry is putting his best foot forward to begin his fundraising journey of walking three daily laps around Eastbury Manor House in Barking, close to where he lives, to encourage donations from well-wishers.

He is taking on the challenge for the next four months following the care he received from NHS staff during his time in hospital.  

“This is my way of saying thank you to the staff who took care of me when I needed it most,” Terry said.

Terry with charity volunteers Iris Taylor (left) and Margaret McCarthyTerry with charity volunteers Iris Taylor (left) and Margaret McCarthy (Image: King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity)

“I’m still here — that’s thanks to everyone who looked after me. Their first-class care was simply amazing.”

The retired civil servant, originally from East Ham who raised three children and has three grandchildren, was diagnosed with oesophageal and bowel cancer at the age of 74 in March 2019.

His treatment included two nine-week courses of chemotherapy and a 12-hour surgery.

Terry spent ten days in hospital in physiotherapy sessions to help his transition back to life at home.

Terry completesw a lap, greeted by his wife Patricia and 2 charity volunteersTerry completes a lap, greeted by his wife Patricia (Image: King George and Queen’s hospitals charity) He was joined on the first day of the walk by his wife Patricia, family, friends and the charity volunteers cheering him on.

“I’m determined to make an impact,” Terry insists. “I want to help the hospitals that gave me the first-class treatment that I couldn’t have found elsewhere.”

He is raising £60,000 for specialist ultrasound equipment at the surgical and oncology units at Queen’s in Romford and King George in Goodmayes to benefit other cancer patients in future.

Terry ends his daily walks on Christmas Eve to mark 127 days and the fifth year of being cancer-free. December 24 will be the fifth anniversary of the day that a scan showed his treatment was a complete success.

Well-wishers can donate on Terry’s fundraising page at justgiving.com/page/coote-1722942737191.