A FATHER-OF-THREE who lost a leg to cancer has begun his quest to climb a 19,000ft high mountain in aid of fellow patients.

Plumber Andy Ward, 41, has a prosthetic limb after losing a leg below the knee following complications with testicular cancer three years ago.

On Valentine’s Day, he flew out to Africa to embark on the gruelling climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s highest peak. He began his climb on Monday.

He has already raised more than £4,000 which will go towards Oxford-based charity Urology Cancer Research and Education to treat other cancer patients.

Mr Ward said: “I’ve heard on the grapevine that one or two people have managed to climb Kilimanjaro with a prosthetic limb before, but it’s going to be difficult.

“I’m raring to go, I’ve been talking about it for a long time and now I’ve got to walk the walk. I’m quite anxious and want to get started.”

Mr Ward, of Arran Grove, Banbury, was treated for a rare form of testicular cancer three years ago.

He survived the disease, but lost the lower part of his leg and now walks with a prosthetic limb.

The father-of-three children, Amey, 15, Joseph, 12, and Ellie, nine, still works as a plumber and builder.

Banbury Heating Supplies has agreed to pay his expenses for the mountain challenge.

Mr Ward has spent recent months training hard including five-mile walks in the Malvern Hills.

Now he must break through the pain barrier and take medication to complete the arduous climb.

He added: “I’m taking medication because when I get the cramps in the stump I can’t walk.

“I must admit I prefer walking up the hill. When I’m walking downhill it is really painful on my stump because of all the downward pressure.

“But I know if I get to the top then I’ve got to come down. It’s going to be a case of just getting through it.

“I have snapped a prosthetic leg before so I will be taking a spare.”

Mr Ward is trekking alongside Gemma Crane, 29, a uro-oncology specialist nurse at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, who provides support to patients with bladder, prostate, testicular or kidney cancer. The nurse, from Watlington, runs clinics for kidney and testicular cancer patients and has set up support groups for patients and families.

They aim to reach the peak tomorrow.

To sponsor the duo visit just-giving.com/andyward-kili or justgiving. com/gemmacrane