A WOMAN is taking on a challenging 24-mile walk to raise money for her step-dad who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Kelly Hardy, 40, of Basildon, has been raised by her step-dad, Raymond Hazle, 63, and thinks of him as her father.

Ray started developing problems swallowing, but he was told by his doctor that a lump in his throat was just an ulcer and would go.

However, the family’s relief was short-lived as they were then informed that he had throat cancer, and had been misdiagnosed previously.

Kelly said: “This news came as a shock for all of us.

“We all were worried about the suffering of my dad and also about the costs involved needed to treat him.

“My mother, who is 58 years old herself, is suffering from health issues and is having back problems that does not allow her to care for my dad as she wants to.

“She is trying to stay strong, but with a dying husband and no means of saving him, we don’t have much to say to comfort her.”

Sadly, further tests revealed that Raymond has stage 4 terminal cancer in his throat, stomach, diaphragm and lymph nodes and all of it is inoperable.

Kelly said: “This was the end of our hopes, and we all silently decided that we have to make his remaining days happy.

“We all tried to keep our dad happy and gave him hope although we were not hopeful ourselves.

“We wanted to believe that we can stay strong, but were unable to do so.

“We felt pain and agony thinking that we cannot do anything for dad after all he has done for our lives.

“I keep remembering all the instances where my dad has been so good to us sisters. All those times when he sacrificed his needs for ours and the fact that he always tried hard all his life to make us happy.”

In desperation, they started searching for alternatives and found that there was an operation available in New Zealand.

However, it would cost £52,000 for the treatment.

The family has started fundraising and Kelly is taking part in a 24-mile walk from Basildon to Southend and back.

Some of the money will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and the money will all be donated to the charity if her step-father dies.

She will be undertaking the challenge on April 1 and is asking people to come forward and donate to the cause.

She is also looking for companies that would be happy to sponsor her and will have buckets along the route.

Visit gofundme.com/dad-my-hero-fundraising-campaign

Companies interested in sponsoring should email kellyannhardy@hotmail.co.uk