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A BLOOD cancer patient has tackled a triathlon and raised more than £8,500 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Brian Kemp, 48, from Salisbury took on the Blenheim Palace triathlon on June 8, finishing the course in one hour and 43 minutes.

He said: “The event was a fantastic experience for my first triathlon. It was a great setting, well organised and there was a huge spectrum of abilities which meant it wasn’t intimidating to me as a novice.

“I didn’t get on the podium for my performance, but did as one of the largest individual fundraisers, having raised almost £9,000 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.”

Mr Kemp was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) while on holiday in Canada in September 2012.

Initially he thought he was suffering from a viral infection and jetlag, but after a blood test and an evacuation by air ambulance to a specialist leukaemia ward in Vancouver, he realised things were much more serious.

Following his diagnosis, Brian underwent five weeks of chemotherapy before being flown home and transferred to Salisbury District Hospital for further treatment. He is currently in remission.

Donations can be made at virginmoneygiving.com/Brian_vs_BloodCancer.