A BUSINESSMAN’S terrifying brush with cancer has inspired him to launch two new initiatives that will help people boost their health and wellbeing and support those affected by the disease.

Last year Mark Sleaford’s world was turned upside down when he went to a doctor to have what he thought was a sports injury checked but was told he had testicular cancer.

The married 30-year-old said: “I tried to be strong but there were moments when I was alone I’d think what will happen to my wife, will I be able to have children, will I survive?

“It was horrific, terrifying for me and difficult for those around me.

“Fortunately I was seen quickly and in six weeks I was told it was benign so the panic was over, but it made me think differently.”

Mr Sleaford, a director at Darlington-based family firm Arc Finance Group, said he had private health cover and life insurance so he could concentrate on getting better without money worries.

But he said the experience brought home to him the difficulties some families must face when hit by cancer.

To help, the company’s Arc Health division has teamed up with the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust based in Spennymoor, County Durham.

It will make a donation - worth around £120 - every time a customer buys a Vitality insurance policy and mentions the trust.

Arc staff also competed and collected donations for the Trust at the Sunderland 10k run yesterday (Sunday, May 1).

Arc Health also set up a health-based rewards scheme for everyone buying a Vitality insurance policy through the company.

Clients will get a Fitbit device to track their exercise- the more active they are, the more points they will earn to swap for incentives such as free cinema tickets, coffee and gym memberships and deals on spa weekends, bikes and trainers.

Business development manager at Arc Health, Chris Blyth, said: “It is all about kick starting healthier lifestyles, getting fit, relaxing.

“I’m doing it myself and losing weight and feeling better, people don’t have to work out for hours to earn points, 20 minutes high intensity exercise in a lunch break is really beneficial.”

Trust founder Mark Solan said: “Cancer is often genetic but poor lifestyle decisions can increase the risks, I like the way Arc promotes healthy choices which can improve all aspects of someone’s health and wellbeing.

“Obviously the donations will be a big help too, the more money we get the more people we can help.

“Often people don’t have insurance so when mum is diagnosed with cancer she and dad worry about the bills not just getting well, we’ll point people towards Arc for advice.”

For information visit archealthrewards.co.uk