KIDNEY failure and spending almost 10 hours a day on dialysis is not stopping this 54-year-old from Bootle cycle 100 kilometres in a single day.

It will be Stephen Hancock's first "century" after he started cycling little over a year ago - which is when he started dialysis.

Mr Hancock, from Bootle, was diagnosed with the condition about two-and-a-half years ago when he started feeling tired and "pretty rotten".

The former freelance consultant now spends nine-and-a-half hours a day on dialysis - which he chooses to do overnight in his home - as he waits on the transplant list.

This will allow him to complete the 100km Cycle the Solway event later this month, albeit with a slightly shorter dialysis session on the day.

Stephen's particular type of kidney failure means his kidneys have swollen - meaning he suffers breathing problems too - but he says cycling makes him feel better.

He said: "I needed to try to get fit and, more importantly, I felt I needed to do something that proved to myself that my life wasn’t limited to and centred around my medical condition."

"My first ride was a rather wobbly 400 metres, but slowly my stamina has improved to the point where I can consider doing this 100km ride.

"I know that I have to keep a reasonable level of fitness in order to remain on the transplant list and cycling has helped alleviate some of my symptoms, but physical health hasn’t been the main motivator.

"To put it simply, I enjoy cycling and I feel better for having done it. One reason is that I simply enjoy cycling, and it has been great to get out exploring our county."

Another reason Stephen is taking part in the event is because he wants to raise awareness around organ donation.

He said: "I am not looking for financial sponsorship for my ride, as I will make a donation to the charity behind the event.

"What I would hope is that people sign up to the organ donor register - it only takes a couple of minutes - and let their family know of their decision. "Very, very few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from being a donor, and whilst certain organs may not be suitable others may be fine and do not worry about being too old, as even people in their 80s have been donors."

Stephen's cycle around Cumbria begins on July 17 from Great Orton.

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