Pilot’s charity walk for those who helped his cancer fight

Wing Commander Fin Monahan, who is officer commanding operations wing at RAF Leeming, in Northallerton, wrapped up warm to take on Hadrian’s Wall with RAF colleagues just three years after he was diagnosed with the blood cancer, multiple myeloma.

At the time, the Harrier pilot – who received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery and skill in supporting Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan in 2006 – was at Staff College in India.

When multiple myeloma was diagnosed, he was referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital and underwent often-arduous treatment that finally saw him get well enough to return to flying in 2011 - something he was told he would never do again.

With the cancer in now full remission, the father-of-three, wanted to complete a challenge showing how far he has come and to thank those who helped him back to health.

In December, along with fellow aircrew colleagues, he embarked on the 84-mile walk along Hadrian’s Wall.

He said: “We had quite difficult weather including snow and it was tougher than we had expected because of that, and we were carrying packs the whole time. It was also very, very cold.”

But he claimed the challenge was worth the cold and wet, with donations topping £15,000, with money to be split between The Willow Foundation, Myeloma UK and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Donations can still be made at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/wallwalkers5.