A FATHER diagnosed with bone marrow cancer at the age of 40 is powering his way across the south coast in an epic walking challenge to raise funds and awareness for a unique cancer support charity.

Mike Pattison, 45, set off on Monday from Derriford Hospital in Plymouth on a 227-mile journey along the South Coast Path to the Shine Cancer Support office in Poole. He is aiming to complete the walk on Friday (19.7).

Shine provides support for young adults, both men and women, aged between 20 and 49 who have or have been diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Pattison, a former Royal Marine Commando and police officer, was diagnosed with myeloma four years ago after suffering long-term lower back problems.

He now volunteers for the Shine network in Dorset and hopes his endurance challenge, titled Mike's Shine Across the South, will help raise awareness for the assistance the organisation provides.

In an interview with BBC Radio Devon before starting his walk on Monday, the father-of-two said: "Everybody in Shine has had cancer or a cancer diagnosis. I have myeloma, which is a bone marrow cancer, and I volunteer for the Dorset network. There are networks all over the country run by volunteers as well. "I wanted to raise some money for this charity which has helped me so much over the past eight or nine months and this is what I decided to do – 227 miles along the South Coast Path."

Mr Pattison went through a year of active treatment to tackle the cancer, which impacted on his mobility, and he has been in remission for three years.

Through his walk and sharing his experience he is aiming to encourage more men with cancer to beat stigmas and seek help earlier after his own experience.

He said: "One of my main missions really is to get more men with cancer to speak about the issues cancer brings and that is one of the unique things about Shine – we all have similar circumstances where we've had work, children, family and bills to pay and cancer on top of that to deal with.

"Men don't really talk about our problems openly. I was one of those people and, if you don't, it can cause further problems. If I can encourage more men to seek support at an earlier stage and not at a crisis point, then I've reached my aim."

To support Mr Pattison's effort with a donation, visit

justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-pattison1

and to follow his progress, visit

facebook.com/Mike.shineCS