A CHARITY horse ride helped raise funds in honour of a man with a rare form of cancer.

The event was held for Darren Young, 45, who was diagnosed with thymoma cancer, when a tumour was found in his chest in June last year.

He underwent an operation in November last year to remove the tumour.

But he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at St James Hospital in Leeds where he was placed in an induced coma for eight weeks of his 12 weeks of his recovery, following complications and removal of half of his lung.

The father-of-three is now recovering at his home in Wrose and is undergoing radiotherapy.

During his time as a patient in St James Hospital, he had a tracheostomy fitted which meant he could not speak, but was instead able to communicate through an iPad.

The 14-mile charity horse ride was held through Esholt, Guiseley and Baildon to help pay for further iPads for the hospital’s Bexley Wing.

The event has raised more than £600, which will be divided between the hospital and Cancer Research UK’s Peter Andre Fund.

His sister, Donna Gott, 43, of Riddlesden, was among those who took part.

She said: “Darren was using the iPads in hospital to speak, so we wanted to buy some more for them as a thank you for treating him. There is a shortage of iPads in the unit, they only had three.

“We did not think he was going to come home, we thought we were going to lose him.

“But he is doing really well at the moment, considering what he has been through. He is on oxygen. He was discharged in February and he is back at home.

“We are going to continue fundraising for him.”

The charity horse ride was organised by Gemma Sedgley, who is helping to raise money for the iPads.

Mr Young joined the group of riders at the Old Glen House pub in Baildon, where 20 balloons were set off in memory of those who have lost their battles with cancer.

To make a further donation to the appeal, call Gemma Sedgley on 07808 550586 or Mrs Gott on 07730 586006, or go to fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/donnas-fundraising-again.