A MAN who defied a terminal cancer diagnosis by undergoing ground-breaking surgery is soon to lead a team on a 10,000-mile charity rally across 24 countries.

Adam Alderson, of Wensleydale, underwent multiple organ transplant surgery in 2015 in a bid to rid him of a rare peritoneal cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).

The 32-hour operation was complicated and a world first ever to be performed and involved the removal of his tumours.

At 35, Mr Alderson became the world’s youngest survivor of aggressive surgery of this type and just two years later he is gearing up for his next challenge - an epic rally from England to Mongolia, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Steve Prescott Foundation.

Mr Alderson, of Preston-under-Scar, set his Yorkshire Yaks team a £20,000 fundraising target, but they have already smashed that by more than £10,000.

And their rally preparations have received a further boost from Bishop Auckland-based TV manufacturer Cello. The team cars have been decked out in the company’s branding and Mr Alderson said he was grateful to all the many other businesses and donators that are supporting his quest.

He said: “If someone had told me two years ago that I would be facing the adventure of a lifetime I wouldn’t have believed them.

“But now, here I am travelling across 24 countries in the Mongol Rally, a true test of mental and physical strength, endurance and team work.

“To have Cello as our main corporate sponsor has enabled our dream of completing this epic journey to become a reality.

“Cello has also helped us to raise funds and awareness of how there is a viable option for PMP patients.’’ Cello boss Brian Palmer said Mr Alderson was “an inspiration”.

He added: “Adam’s extraordinary journey is a testament to never giving up, and Cello is very proud to be sponsoring such a motivating and determined charity team.”

Mr Alderson stressed that money donated is going to his nominated charities as he has ploughed £12,00 of his own cash into funding the rally trip.

He joked that he did not want people to think that they were funding his honeymoon after he married fiancee Laura in Hornby, near Bedale, in May.

He added: “We have had a lot of support from companies which has been fantastic.”

The Yaks will embark on their Mongol Rally from Goodwood in Chichester on July 15.

Over the next six weeks they will drive around 10,000 miles to Mongolia with no back-up or official route.