Daren Humphrey was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2025 and described it as a “complete surprise” as he had almost no symptoms.
He was later told that the cancer was stage 4 and had already spread ot his liver and lungs due to it being there for some time.
He said: “It was a complete surprise. I’ve always been pretty active, I’ve got a reasonable diet and I did the NHS screening test, which I would absolutely encourage everyone to do.
“I didn’t really have any symptoms. I’d say there were quite minor ones late on, but I thought they were more like IBS symptoms than bowel cancer.
“The team at Worcester were brilliant, but it came as quite a shock when they told me it was stage 4. It was a series of shocks. There is that initial concern that you have bowel cancer and then I found out that it had gone too far.”
Mr Humphrey has undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, and despite his diagnosis, he continues to feel really well and still enjoys CrossFit and mountain biking.
He has now decided to take on Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 2026 to help raise awareness of bowel cancer, especially in younger people.
The 56-year-old will be taking on a 38-mile bike ride around Glasgow and the surrounding areas alongside his 21-year-old son Henry, and friends Nick Smith and Simon Gates.
The team will be taking on a 38-mile cycling challenge (Image: Supplied)
Mr Humphrey said: “I think people associate bowel cancer with older people, but I want to help raise awareness that cancer is affecting more people at a younger age. It is so important to know the symptoms of the more common types of cancer and not to wait around if you have any concerns or even minor symptoms.
“Chris Hoy has been so high profile in raising awareness since his prostate cancer diagnosis, and I wanted to do something positive for Bowel Cancer UK.”
Mr Humphrey said the team are looking forward to taking on the challenge, but it will be a new experience for them all as they are not regular road riders.
He said: “My son Henry doesn’t ride at all and the rest of us are mountain bikers, so it will be a new experience for everyone. We’ve done a bit of training and been building up the miles. We’re just looking forward to getting out there.
“I want to show people that life can continue even with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. It doesn’t define you.”
The team has already raised more than £11,500 for Bowel Cancer UK with Mr Humphrey’s wife, Helen, also raising more than £6,500 for Bowel Babe in a similar fundraiser last year.
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/my-tour-de-4-2026-fundraiser-to-fight-cancer-qnrcw
The Tour de 4 challenge will take place on Friday (September 4).