INSPIRATIONAL Ironman Peter McCleave battled tough weather to complete the cycle course in the triathlon event, to help raise awareness of the stem cell register.

The dad-of-two says he is "buzzing" after taking part in the event in Weymouth, which was nearly cancelled by organisers because weather conditions were so bad.

Mr McCleave was told he has just seven years to live after being diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer – unless a stem cell donor can be found.

He is campaigning to recruit 10,000 new donors for the stem cell register in a bid to help himself – and others – to have a future.

Speaking after the race, he said: "It was absolutely brilliant, a heck of a buzz.

"The wind and rain made it hard graft at first - it was difficult changing gear because my hands were so numb - but as I approached the finish line the sky broke out into beautiful sunshine.

"Being at the starting line felt like I was getting back to normal life again.

"It's been two years almost to the day since my last Ironman challenge in Wales - at one point I didn't think I'd be back so soon, but now I feel like I'm getting my head back into race mode."

Mr McCleave has managed to add 1,100 names to the stem cell register in just two weeks - a huge achievement according to consultants. Usually around 500-600 people sign up over the course of 3-4 months.

Besides campaigning to raise awareness about joining the stem cell register, the athlete is already planning his next race.

He said: "I'm hoping to enter the Majorca half Ironman next year - at the end of this week I'll be speaking to my consultant to find out whether I'm allowed to take part.

"I'd love to do a full Ironman - we'll have to see how the rest of the year goes."

Joining the register is quick and easy - participants sign up online and carry out a swab test via post.

To sign up and potentially save a life, visit 10000donors.com

Follow Peter's journey on petermccleave.co.uk

  • A Facebook campaign is being created to help raise awareness of the stem cell register. Facebook users can take part by adding a badge to their profile picture for a month, or as long as possible. To support the campaign email a profile picture to: ahlstedt.photoart@gmail.com