AN inspiration Ludlow cancer survivor has put together a cycling challenge to test the best.

Ashley Green is staging a cycling festival to raise money for Macmillan and to encourage people to get on their bikes.

He is doing it 23 years after being diagnosed with the condition.

Ashley was first diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in the roof of his mouth in 1991, at the age of 21, which was successfully treated.

In early 2011 he noticed a swollen gland under his ear and went to his GP who later confirmed the cancer had returned. He underwent eight hours of surgery, which resulted in temporary paralysis of the right side of his face, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden in London.

Ashley believes Macmillan was essential to help him and his family get through their difficult times.

“Macmillan gave me a grant to help with travel costs when I was having my treatment more than 150 miles away in London. It helped us find our way through our financial worries, gave us psychological counselling to help deal with our fears of cancer and for the future and organised rapid pain relief prescriptions from the local GP,” said Ashley.

“The Cycling Festival will be a fantastic day out for the whole family, and will raise money to help cancer patients in Shropshire.”

He said that when he first became ill the charity helped him financially as he was studying and more recently they also gave him a grant to enable him to travel to London for radiotherapy.

The help has also included supporting his family.

“Without them there is no doubt that it would be much harder,” said Mr Green, a graphic designer who works from home.

He is a keen cyclist who rides most days of the week and says that it has helped him by physically and mentally.

Ashley and a team of volunteers have put together an event offering cycling for all that will start at Ludlow Rugby Club.

At 9am the serious riders will start the South Shropshire Tors 100K sportive, with stops in Newcastle-on-Clun and Ticklerton, finishing back at the rugby club.

There will be the 30K guided Orchard Ride for intermediate riders which will break in Tenbury for cakes and drinks.

The 11k guided rides, aimed at young families and new riders, will leave at 10.30am and again at 2pm and will ride to Ludlow Food Centre.

There will be competitions, fire engines, trampolines, live music, and a licensed bar.

Helen Knight, fundraising manger for Macmillan in Shropshire, described Ashley as inspirational.

“All the money raised from this event will be spent in Shropshire on local services for people affected by cancer,” she said.

Anyone interested in being involved in the event or wanting further information please contact Ashley:

ashleygreen14@googlemail.com