A CANCER survivor who had to relearn how to walk has completed a 36-mile hike with his family and friends to thank the hospital that saved his life.

Dad-of-three Shaun Dingsdale, of Coronation Drive in Higher Folds received treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at The Christie in Manchester, including chemotherapy and stem cell transplant - resulting in him being given the all-clear six years ago.

Part of his recovery included him taking a year to learn how to walk again, which he said was "the hardest thing I ever had to do."

Since then, the 46-year-old has raised around £5,000 for the hospital and a further £2,500 for other charities - and on Saturday he added £450 to that total by walking from his home to Billinge Hill and back.

Shaun, who works at Cineworld in Leigh, said: "Learning how to walk again was the hardest thing I ever had to do, it took a year to get confident again.

"Each time I tried I would push myself to get better than the last time - once I went to the shops over the road and had to call my wife because I couldn't make it back.

"Now I'm cancer free I consider it my job, to give back to this amazing hospital and help people who are in the same position as me.

"The last three miles my legs felt like jelly, but I kept going and that's what it's like when you get diagnosed with cancer.

"Cancer doesn't have to be the end, you have to keep believing and achieving."

Shaun also plans to climb the Three Yorkshire Peaks, the Three National Peaks and cycle 140 miles of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal this year.

Shaun has taken on many events in the past after being inspired to take up challenges by his daughter Olivia, 14.

Shaun took on the challenge with his wife Joanne, daughter Olivia, his friends Steven Shovelton and Mick Jones who accompany him on all of his challenges, Olivia's friend Shannon Fisher and his sister-in-law Abbie Hilton.

To donate to Shaun’s crowdfunding page visit bit.ly/2FmTMH9.