A GREAT grandfather who undertook a challenge to mark a decade of living with cancer has been 'blown away' by donations after smashing his fundraising target.

Ralph White, 75, was diagnosed with stromal sarcoma of the prostate in 2012, leading to six weeks of radiotherapy and ultimately surgery and a urostomy.

Last year, another tumour was found, in his bowel, leading to further surgery, a Christmas spent in hospital and a colostomy.

To mark his 10th year of living with cancer, Mr White took on a 10-day walking challenge to raise money for children's hospice, Derian House.

Derian House provides end-of-life care to 400 young people and their families across Lancashire, south Cumbria and Greater Manchester.

Ten days after being discharged from the Christie Hospital in Manchester, Mr White, from Walney Island, began his walking challenge earlier this month, aiming to trek two miles every day for ten days.

Days after completing the challenge, Mr White feels 'proud' and 'humbled' by the response from the community - and has raised over £3,000.

He said: “We’ve all been blown away by the amount of money raised.

“My daughter told me to set a conservative target of £1,000 and see what happens.

“And now we’re on over £3,000 which is just marvellous.

“This could potentially pay for three families to enjoy a week in a specially adapted chalet with their child in South Cumbria, so it would really benefit them."

As well as trekking two miles a day for charity, Mr White also challenged himself in taking on a seven mile walk from his home in West Shore, Walney to Roanhead.

“The daily walks were a reasonable challenge to do but the seven mile walk was hard," he said.

“I found it very difficult at times, and it took over three hours, but we carried on.

“I’m really pleased to have raised the profile of Derian House and made people in the area aware of the charity and the work it does.

“They’re so incredibly grateful for our donations and I’m proud to be able to make this donation to them.”

To donate, head to justgiving.com/fundraising/joanne-ward41