A CANCER survivor is aiming to raise £25,000 for Cancer Research UK by scaling the Lake District’s 542 hills and mountains

Bill Honeywell, a well-known fundraiser in the Ribble Valley, has now reached two big milestones.

On Monday, almost halfway through the year, he visited summit no 271 - Wallow Crag, above Haweswater, the halfway point of his challenge.

At the same time the total amount donated or pledged has now reached £25,000 – his original target, although he says there is no upper limit on how much he would like to raise.

So far this year Mr Honeywell, from Clitheroe, has ploughed through rivers, waist-deep snow and shoulder high bracken; he’s walked over 350 miles and climbed over 100,000 feet.

Mountains climbed include Skiddaw and Helvellyn, as well as smaller summits, some of which he describes as a ‘navigational challenge’.

His previous fundraising ventures have included cycling 4,500 miles around the entire coast of Great Britain and climbing all 214 ‘Wainwright’ summits in the Lake District in only 55 days.

As for the second half of the year, Bill said: “All I have to do is another 270 summits, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

“I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received, not just sponsorship but offers of accommodation whilst I’m in the Lakes, and the number of total strangers who’ve joined in the project. It’s been really heart-warming.”

Cancer Research UK East Lancashire Local Fundraising Manager, Leah Mitchell, said: “Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding and relies entirely on the generosity and dedication of individuals like Bill.

“Every step we take towards beating cancer relies on every hour of research, every pound donated and every person who gets involved, so please support Bill in his fundraising venture.”

Every day around 110 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West.

Last year, Cancer Research UK spent over £21 million in the North West on research which is helping more men, women and children to survive the disease.

To support, visit http://www.542in2016.org.uk/.