A CANCER sufferer from Benfleet will take on a huge physical challenge this weekend as he is set to run the Loch Ness Marathon for charity.

Ross McKinlay, 23, who lives in Stockwood, will tackle the marathon with his dad Steve, 50, to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Together the pair have already raised £2,060 through their JustGiving page, doubling their original target.

Speaking on the challenge, Ross said: “It is something that I have really wanted to do.

“I have always said that I am not worried about the time I do it in, it is about achieving this and helping to support the charity.”

Ross was diagnosed with a rare tumour, Stage 2 Chondosarcoma, two years ago after finding that he was suffering from blurred vision.

He said: “I originally did not think it was a problem, but then it continued.

“I went to the opticians and that was when people started to realise something was not right.

“They referred me to hospital.”

The former King John School pupil said: “At no point had anybody said anything about a tumour, they just said they could see a cyst but I then went to Romford Hospital and that was where they started saying the word tumour.”

Thankfully for Ross, the tumour was slow developing and surgeons treated it in an attempt to decrease the size of the tumour.

However, due to where it is in his brain, the procedure was too dangerous for Ross to have it removed from his brain.

Part of Ross’s treatment has meant that he is now unable to move one of his eyes after an injection. He is continuing to receive treatment.

Despite the struggle he has been through since 2015, Ross has been training hard for the marathon.

Both him and his dad are expecting to complete the 26.2-mile course, no matter how long it takes.

Ross said: “I have not been able to train as much as I would want but I know what my body is capable of.

“Last week we did 20 miles which obviously was not easy but it built up my confidence.”

Ross decided to take on the marathon to thank all the people who have helped and supported him throughout his treatment.

He said: “It is down to the great care and the great people that I have been able to do this.

“I have always wanted to give something back to them.

“With the page, it does not matter whether people donate money to it, even if they share it or show support at least it is raising awareness.”

Ross will travel up to Scotland on Saturday ahead of the Loch Ness Marathon on Sunday.

To support the pair, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mckinlay11.