Ossett brothers climb virtual peaks together for cancer charity

Ben Green from Ossett has been diagnosed with incurable cancer. He and his brother Tom are raising money for charity by walking the distance. of both Mount. Everest and Mount Fuji in 28 days. Picture Scott Merrylees

Tom and Ben Green took on the challenge after Ben was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer two days after his 40th birthday at the end of 2019.

Tom, 39, said: “At that stage there was all the hope he would be cured. He was going through treatment to prepare him for an operation but within that time it spread to his lymph nodes.

“We have been dealing with that and we know it’s incurable.”

The brothers were looking for something to do to raise money and awareness of the condition.

The virtual walk of Mount Everest, starting from the village of Luklu, to the summit is 40 miles and Mount Fuji, starting from Lake Shoji, to the summit is 46 miles.

Tom said: “We planned to go to the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District to do the walks but we are restricted so it’s mostly walking around streets of Ossett and Horbury.

“We are trying to do everything we can together as two close brothers.

“It will be a challenge, the response we are getting is great, and – not that we need an excuse – but it’s a good reason to spend time with him, have a catch up and not be distracted.” The restrictions brought by the pandemic led the brothers to this challenge – which will take place through February – though things may have been different in another time.

Tom said: “Ben might have found it frustrating because there are places he wants to go and people he wants to see.

“But he’s a positive person and said ‘If we didn’t’ have Covid I would have been off over the world and wouldn’t have spent this quality time with you’.”

And if you see Tom and Ben, 41, on their walks and beep your horn they will add to the fund.

Tom said: “Doing this event now is especially important for us and our family and friends because when Ben was told that his cancer was terminal his consultant estimated that his life expectancy would be March 2021.

“So to stick two fingers up at cancer, here we are, virtually climbing mountains together!”

To donate visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/tombengreen.