Bob marks cancer-free decade with an epic ride

AN SAS veteran given 10 years to live after a wisdom tooth removal led to a rare cancer diagnosis is preparing for a mammoth bike ride to celebrate reaching the decade milestone.

- CHARLOTTE AMBROSE

Bob Perry, 70, from Poole, Dorset, previously served in the Army and the SAS, and then as a police detective investigating murders and drug deals, but suddenly became ill after retiring in 2011.

Doctors initially attributed his symptoms, which included fatigue, slurred speech, muscle spasms, loss of limb control, night sweats and skin issues, to his age, before misdiagnosing him with a rare condition known as stiff-person syndrome.

But in October 2015 a blood test prompted by a haemorrhage during a wisdom tooth removal saw him diagnosed with Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare form of blood cancer, and doctors gave him 10 years to live.

A decade on and nine years after finishing chemotherapy, Bob is preparing for the Club des Cingles cycle ride, which will see him make three ascents of Mont Ventoux in southern France, covering 137km (85 miles) and an elevation of 4.5km (2.8 miles)

Bob told PA Real Life: “I was looking for something a little bit different to celebrate - first of all being 70 and still alive, and secondly to celebrate 10 years after I was told I had 10 years to live.

“The future is bright even though a cure is not quite in sight yet - there's treatments and you can enjoy a good quality of life.

“I just love my fitness, it’s what keeps me going.”

Bob joined the Army at the age of 17, working with the Royal Engineers for 10 years as a diver on underwater construction projects, demolition and searches.

When he was 27 he joined the SAS, working in Malaysia, Canada, Kenya, Oman, and Belize, before joining the police as a detective working across various crime units including surveillance, intelligence, drug and murder squads.