A Wigan grandad whose surprise cancer diagnosis sparked a major charity challenge has spoken of his bitter disappointment at having to abandon it with just weeks to go.

Billy Haggerty hit the headlines last year when he announced he was going to scale Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care after he discovered he had a prostate tumour.

He had been feeling fine but went for a check-up anyway because an old army friend had just discovered he had cancer after a routine test.

Surgery wasn’t required because it had been caught early, and out of relief and gratitude, the Ashton biscuit factory worker began training and raising money for his epic hike up the Tanzanian mountain this January.

Charity fundraiser Billy Haggerty from Ashton-in-Makerfield, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, has been in training to climb the world's tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro next month, to raise funds for Macmillan. However, Billy has had a health setback and doctors have advised not to do the challenge, he is offering to give money back to the people who donated, although what is left will still go to Macmillan

placeholder image — Charity fundraiser Billy Haggerty from Ashton-in-Makerfield, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, has been in training to climb the world's tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro next month, to raise funds for Macmillan. However, Billy has had a health setback and doctors have advised not to do the challenge, he is offering to give money back to the people who donated, although what is left will still go to Macmillan

A JustGiving page was set up with a target of £4.650 which he would then match fund.

That target was smashed long ago and there is more than £10,000 currently in the pot.

But a medical setback has now forced him to abort the project at the 11th hour.

The 65-year-old said: “It’s not connected to the cancer but it is in the same area and my consultant has said it wouldn’t be advisable to go ahead. It’s a real bummer.

"A little while back I went to a funeral in Scotland and on the way home I had to stop off at almost every service station for a pee but couldn’t pass water. I got home and went to bed but by 1am I was in agony and on the way to A&E.

"A CAT scan showed my bladder was completely blocked and there was an infection. A catheter gave instant relief but I was told that the cause was an enlarged prostate. It’s not cancerous but it’s putting pressure on the bladder and if the catheter is removed then it would be quickly back to square one unless surgery takes place.

"That is looking like being in 2027 and the consultant said he wouldn’t recommend trying to climb Kilimanjaro with a catheter in.

"By the time I’ve had the surgery I’ll probably be 66 and I don’t think I’ll be up to it anymore so that’s it. I had done so much training, the flight was booked, money paid and even a WhatsApp group set up so I could get to know the 12 to 14 other people who were going to be doing it at the same time. It’s so very disappointing.

"I want anyone to know that we can arrange to return the money they donated because I won’t be completing the challenge. Just get in touch. To be fair the people I have spoken to so far have said ‘keep it: the money is for Macmillan.’ but not everyone might think that way.”

Billy is, however, planning to take something on once the surgery is done.

He added: “It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to go abroad for something, the insurance might be a problem for a start, but I do want to do something challenging still: maybe climbing the UK’s three highest peaks. We’ll just have to wait and see.”