Meet the Hereford man who won't let a hole in the neck stop him

A HEREFORD man has spoken about his laryngeal cancer battle, and his epic triathlon challenges to raise money for others suffering from the disease.

Richard Andrews first started suffering symptoms in December 2017 when he developed a severe ear ache and sore throat.

These symptoms persisted along with a difficulty swallowing.

Richard went to the doctors, his GP referred him to an ear, nose and throat specialist and he underwent a biopsy.

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He was then diagnosed with stage two laryngeal cancer after they found a malignant tumour on his vocal cord.

He had six weeks of radiotherapy which was initially successful and he was given the all clear in January 2019.

This is when Mr Andrews decided he was going to start running.

He said: "I've never really ran properly before my diagnosis but I felt it would be a good way to build my strength back and give me something to do."

Mr Andrews competed in the Hereford duathlon in April 2019, before he started feeling breathless again.

Richard Andrews in hospital during his treatment for throat cancer

He revisited his consultant in May 2019, and the cancer had returned.

Mr Andrews said: "The only option I had was to have a full laryngectomy and neck dissection, to stop it spreading to the lymph nodes."

The operation meant that Mr Andrews' windpipe was no longer connected to his mouth and nose.

He said: "My nose doesn't work at all now, it's purely there to keep my glasses from falling off.

Mr Andrews said that it was his family who kept him going throughout that time.

He said "They have been incredible throughout. They kept me going through the tough periods.

"The biggest effect on them was in the first few months after my operation when I couldn't speak, which was incredibly frustrating."

Richard Andrews said his family have been incredible.

Once he had mustered up the strength, Mr Andrews started to train again, but this time with a slight difference.

He has a special snorkel fitted to his tracheostomy tube to help him breathe underwater so he can compete in triathlons and even a half iron-man.

He said: "I was nervous the first time I used the snorkel for swimming, you are aware of what can go wrong, but it just feels normal now.

"My family are much more worried about me swimming with it than I am."

He added: "Regular exercise has aided my recovery more than anything else.

"It has been so good for both my physical and mental wellbeing."

Mr Andrews competed in his first triathlon in Harrogate on Sunday May 8.

He finished 17th in a field of 50 competitors in the Yorkshire event, which included a 200 metre swim, a ten kilometre cycle and a three kilometre run.

His next event is in June at the World Triathlon Championship, which involves open water swimming, followed by the Hereford Triathlon on July 10.

Richard Andrews open water swimming with his specially fitted snorkel

Mr Andrews is raising money through his challenges for Macmillan Cancer Support, after raising over £1500 last year for Cancer Research UK.

He said: "I'm looking to raise money and also to show people that a throat cancer diagnosis doesn't have to stop you leading a relatively normal life.

"Everyone around me has been so supportive and kept me going."

Chairman of Hereford Triathlon Club Darren Gibbons said: "I was blown away when Richard approached me to write his training programme.

"To be trusted with that responsibility is an honour.

"Richard really is the epitome of our club, his story is incredible and inspiring in equal measure, and we are very proud of him.

"He has huge goals for 2022 and we have no doubt he is going to smash them."