A DOCTOR is saddling up to cycle 400 miles across Europe to raise vital cash to support people living with cancer in memory of her dad and her former GP.

Dr Catharine Benson’s father Gilbert died of Hodgkin Lymphoma aged 27 in 1963, while her GP of more than 10 years, Dr Mike Titchmarsh, died of bowel cancer two years ago.

Now Dr Benson is about to embark on a gruelling 400-mile journey from Bordeaux to Barcelona with Dr Titchmarsh’s widow Jan.

Dr Benson, a GP at Oxford’s Beaumont Street Doctors Surgery, said she was hoping to raise £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her dad and Dr Titchmarsh.

She added: “I am inspired by my GP, who died of cancer.

“My father also died of cancer, then my mother got the same cancer. That’s what made me want to become a doctor.”

She first met Dr Titchmarsh when she was 10 when she was his patient at his surgery in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

Dr Benson was his patient until she turned 18 and moved away for college, but she got to know the family by babysitting their children.

The 52-year-old will begin the two-week adventure across Europe on September 3 with 72-year-old Mrs Titchmarsh.

Dr Benson and Mrs Titchmarsh will spend the first night in Bordeaux, then they will cycle until they reach the foothills of the Pyrenees where they get a rest day in the little spa town of Bagneres-de-Luchon.

They will then have to traverse the mighty Port de la Bonaigua, which rises 2,072 metres above sea level, before descending from the Pyrenees.

However, their uphill struggle is far from over because Dr Benson and Mrs Titchmarsh will then have to conquer the rocky Sierra de Montserrat, where they will stay at a hotel next to an ancient monastery.

After a night’s rest they will begin the final leg of their trip to Barcelona.

Dr Benson said: “Jan is as fit as me and we both have arthritis.

“I have it in my hip and she has it in her back, but cycling really helps us manage our arthritis.”

The pair are doing the cycle ride as part of a Bike Adventure holiday but Dr Benson said the trip is being paid for by them, with all the sponsorship going to the charity.

The GP, who has practised in Oxford for 23 years, added: “It’s going to be quite an exhaustive holiday.

“But if I can raise some money on the trip that will be brilliant.”