A grandfather who survived kidney and prostate cancer is to sail through Scotland’s canal network to aid research into the disease.
George Rae from Kirriemuir, will spend 30 days travelling Scotland’s waterways onboard his boat ‘The Dog House’, and aims to raise £50,000 for Cancer Research UK.
The retired Angus Council worker will set off from Arbroath harbour on on Thursday on his 500-mile journey.
The 73-year-old came up with the idea while he was being treated for kidney cancer.
He told STV News: “It came to me one night and then I couldn’t sleep because my brain was in overdrive thinking all these things up so here we are.
“It made me think, I could bash on and do it for Cancer Research. In my view, research is prevention and prevention is better than cure.”
George was treated for both kidney and prostate cancer and underwent two operations to remove tumours in the space of 18 months.
He’s been given a clean bill of health and now hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK to help others affected by the disease.
“There’s been no repercussions so far. No chemotherapy, no radiotherapy. I’m a very lucky boy,” he added.
Sailing enthusiast George has mapped out his adventure taking in some of Scotland’s best-loved sights, including the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and the flats used in hit show Still Game.
The boat will travel down the east coast, then along the Caledonian Canal to Inverness before returning on the same route.
George will have some company along the way, with grandsons Cameron and Jordan joining him on board for part of the trip.
“I’m looking forward to all of it. It will be brilliant,” he said.
George is asking people to “be generous and donate” to his fundraiser.
He added: “It goes straight to Cancer Research and will maximises their efforts.
“If there’s better methods of discovering the cancer in the first place at an earlier time, it’s bound to be better than going through lots of chemo.
“When they’re diagnosed, folk get worried. Research would cut out a lot of trauma people have to go through.”
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