An Ovingham pensioner, who walks a mile a day, in memory of his wife Ann, is calling on others to step up for Cancer Research UK’s latest fundraising campaign, Walk All Over Cancer.

The aim is to get public to walk 10,000 steps every day in March to help support the charity’s life-saving mission. To celebrate its 20th birthday, it is paying tribute to supporters like Gordon for the part they have played in this progress.

Gordon McIntosh, 86, was married to his wife Ann for over 60 years until her death in May 2019 from oesophageal cancer.

In 2001, Gordon was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he underwent 37 rounds of radiotherapy, completing his last session on his birthday and wearing celebratory Union Jack underpants to mark the occasion. He decided to help give something back to research that saved his life Gordon took on a challenge to walk Hadrian’s Wall in 2005.

Sadly, in July 2018 Ann was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the oesophagus after experiencing severe indigestion.The radiotherapy treatment was unsuccessful and Ann deteriorated over Christmas and she died on my Gordon's Birthday in May 2019.

Following Ann’s death Gordon decided to set himself a new walking challenge, 84 mile challenge this time in her memory.

In June 2021 he set off walking a simulated Hadrian’s Wall walk at Tyne Riverside Country Park in Prudhoe. He has raised over £2600 for Cancer Research UK and has vowed to keep walking until he can’t do it anymore.

Gordon said : “I hope people Walk All Over Cancer this March. Just like me, everyone can go at their own pace and build the steps into their day-to-day routine, whether they walk on their own or with family and friends.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North East, said: “Every day we see the benefits of research we’ve previously funded being realised, helping people like Gordon live longer and healthier lives, but also the need for more to be done to help people like his wife Ann.

"So as we mark our 20th anniversary, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to him for his incredible commitment to the cause."