INSPIRATIONAL cancer survivors, along with Hollyoaks TV stars, set off from Middlewich and onto Northwich this morning in canoes as part of a five-day challenge for Cancer Research UK.

Cancer survivors David Sing, Helen Weller, Carla Bradbury and Jag Chather are in the midst of tackling a mammoth canoeing challenge to paddle 120 miles along the waterways from Chester to Liverpool.

The challenge is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, which aims to speed up the translation of incredible scientific discoveries into innovative cancer medicine, tests and treatment.

A host of celebrities will be helping them along the way, taking turns to do one leg of the five-day journey.

The crew paddled into Middlewich from Chester last night, Monday, with ITV’s Judge Rinder and TV presenter Anthea Turner.

Middlewich mayor, Cllr Samantha Moss, said: “I think it’s a wonderful thing that they are undertaking and it was a privilege to welcome them into Middlewich at the end of their first day.

“They were on their knees and absolutely exhausted but still smiled and had their pictures taken which was really nice of them.

“There were so many positive comments about how good the welcome was coming into Middlewich too, which makes me really proud.”

Setting off again from the Big Lock this morning, Hollyoaks stars Anna Passey and Rory Douglas Speed took over the oars for the celebrities.

Leaving Middlewich this morning, Anna said: “Rory and I are involved in a cancer in pregnancy storyline in Hollyoaks at the moment so when we were asked we were very keen to get involved and show some support.”

Rorry added: “Some of these guys are doing five days in a row and we’re doing one so we can’t really complain, but I’m a bit scared of water so it should be a laugh.”

On the second day, the team travel from Middlewich, past the Park Farm Marina at Rudheath and Acton Bridge, before finishing the day in Warrington.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the north west, said: “We are delighted that so many celebs are picking up her paddle and supporting such an epic challenge for Stand Up To Cancer.

“The Great Canoe Challenge aims to inspire people across Cheshire to join the rebellion against cancer and raise funds for life-saving research.

“We’re calling on people to show their support and help fund game-changing research. Money raised will fund cutting-edge research that accelerates new cancer treatments and tests to UK patients to ultimately save more lives. One in two of us in the UK will develop cancer in our lifetime, so now is the time to act.”

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £38 million to fund more than 40 clinical trials and research projects. These include the development of the ‘chemo package’ to deliver treatment at the best time for the patient; testing arsenic as a weapon to make cancer implode and using viruses to seek and destroy cancer cells.

Alison added: “Around 41,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the north west every year. Every day, scientists and researchers work tirelessly to beat the disease, and with the support of the people of Northwich and Middlewich, we can continue to fund ground-breaking research to help save more lives, more quickly. “There are so many ways to get involved so we’re calling on people across Cheshire to stand up, raise cash and take cancer out.”