A PENSIONER whose family has been blighted by cancer has undertaken a gruelling challenge to raise money for research into the disease.

Jimmy Barrett, 65, completed a triathlon at Glenholme Leisure Centre, in Crook, County Durham, yesterday, with a one-mile swim, 20km bike ride and 10km run.

Mr Barrett, from Roddymoor, near Crook, lost his father, father-in-law, three uncles, a cousin and a close friend to cancer. His younger brother, Fred, and sister-in-law, Karen, are both currently fighting the disease.

The former compere said he never thought he would be doing a triathlon at 65, but added: “I wanted to do something for cancer research because it is such a horrible disease.

“I rang my brother, Fred, and said ‘do you think I’m a little bit mad?’, but he told me if I could do it, then he would be very proud of me.”

So far, Mr Barrett’s triathlon has raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

■ To donate, call Helen Smithson on 01388-602232.