The life-saving working of NHS staff has inspired a two-times cancer survivor to organise a cycling fundraising event for the Queen's Medical Centre.
Richard Harley, 69, of Hucknall is a former pro-cyclist that put the breaks on riding when he retired back in 1973.
But after suffering from both bowel and pancreatic cancer in the past four years, he got back in the saddle to get fit.
Now Mr Harley wants to use his rekindled passion to raise cash for a new helipad at the QMC.
At the end of 2009, the consultant engineer came home for Christmas. But a sudden bout of hiccups every time he ate gave him some concern.
His GP sent him straight to hospital and he said he "felt like a fraud" being squeezed in so quickly to speak to a consultant.
But after going into endoscopy two days later, Mr Harley discovered the instinct of his GP had been correct.
He said: "I sat with my wife and the surgeon said it was not good news. When my wife asked what we could do to get it sorted, he explained the first thing she should do is go home and get my affairs in order. Then the seriousness sunk in."
Mr Harley had bowel cancer and had to have an operation removing 65% of his bowel to get rid of the disease.
He reacted well to the treatment and began to get his fitness back, with his best friend David making him pick up a bike for the first time in over 30 years.
But as everything seemed in order, disaster stuck again when he was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer on his pancreas.
Mr Harley said: "The doctor said he couldn't operate on it without risking my life but I said I didn't want to die a slow death at home and for my grandchildren to see it."
A painstaking nine hours of surgery later by the clinical lead for the trauma centre, Adam Brooks, saw Mr Harley recover again.
He said: "Me and Adam became friends after that and regularly began cycling together. He told me about the 'golden hour' in trauma where if you get a patient into surgery in that time, you are much more likely to save their life.
"But he also told me how 80% of that time was taken up in transit and the need for a helipad."
The idea of a cycling weekend for families was born with the goal of raising money for the much needed facility.
The Trent Valley Sportive will take place at Manor Farm in Bleasby, near Southwell, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July. As well as cycling, there will be family entertainment, with fun for everyone on two wheels or two feet.
Andrew Goodwin, the owner of Manor Farm Tea Shoppe, was delighted to be involved.
He said: "Richard is a big supporter of the tea shop and we want to support him too. It is a lovely place to ride bikes with all the trails and on top of that it is a very worthy charity."
For more information on the event visit www.saysportsmedia.co.uk.
