A NEWLY-DIAGNOSED cancer patient completed a midnight bike marathon on Saturday in memory of his dad.

Retired paramedic Steve Evan, from Runcorn, only discovered he had mouth cancer after signing up for the 50k Nightrider challenge.

The 62-year-old raised £465 for Macmillan Cancer Support after his dad Colin died when he was 62 from bowel cancer.

Steve believes that 44 years as a paramedic plus experience of his dad’s battle spurred him to catch his cancer early.

He sought advice from his dentist when a tongue ulcer failed to heal and he was immediately referred to hospital.

After he receives scan results on Wednesday, he hopes to undergo surgery early next month.

Steve, of Hawthorn Avenue, said: “I would urge anyone with worrying symptoms to seek advice.”

Around 400 cyclists joined him as he rode round Liverpool’s landmarks.

“It rained all the way through,” said Steve. “My idea was to cycle into the dawn but the rain was that bad we cracked on.”

Cyclists started at the Pier Head at 12.30pm and rode past the old festival gardens site to Sefton Park.

Their route took them back into the city centre past the university and cathedrals to Sefton Park and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

They then cycled through Croxteth and Kirby, past Everton and Liverpool’s grounds and along the Dock Road back to the Pier Head.

To donate visit justgiving.cim/steve-evans-mbe or text MBES60£5 to 70070.