A RUNCORN grandad has resumed his sporting feats after conquering cancer.

Retired scaffolder Tom Whitfield, 69, has raised more than £35,000 for charity after tackling countless challenges.

The Murdishaw dad-of-three was devastated after being diagnosed with cancer last year.

“It was like getting knocked off a mountain,” he said.

“If I’d been forced to give up all my sports I would have been in a real mess. I like to keep busy.”

Tom had major surgery at Arrowe Park Hospital in March last year and took a year off to recuperate.

Medics were amazed by his strength and determination to get back on his feet.

Nicknamed ‘Tommy Tarzan’ because he used to swing round scaffolds, he has always astounded people with his agility.

“Nurses and doctors said that the fact that I was so fit helped me to recover,” he said.

“It was a big lift for me when they said I could continue with all my sports.

“I’d advise anyone diagnosed with cancer to think positive.”

Tom completed the Liverpool half marathon with his daughter, Jenna, 32, and granddaughter Rhiannon and hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for Halton Haven Hospice.

“It was one of the proudest moments of my life running with three generations of my family,” added Tom.

“It’s great when your children want to take after you and get involved in charity work.”

Tom has now clocked up 94 half marathons and 16 full marathons.

He took part in a charity football match last week and will be joining the Rizzo bike ride from Southport to Liverpool on Saturday, June 18.

This annual charity event was started by former Norton Priory pupils in 2008 to support their friend Ste Rizzotti from Runcorn who was paralysed from the chest down in a work accident.

The bike ride was initially a get-together to show Ste and his wife Jayne that they haven’t forgot what they have gone through and has grown each year.