AN AMATEUR goalkeeper will take on the ultimate cycling challenge when he climbs Col Du Tourmalet twice in one day, almost a year after he cycled Mont Ventoux in southern France in aid of his friend, Tranent fundraiser Johnnie Meechan.

Johnnie, 44, of Coalgate Avenue, is a father of five and was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) in his liver and stomach seven years ago.

Since his terminal diagnosis, Johnnie has raised thousands of pounds for various charities and advocated passionately for NET cancer awareness.

His good friend, William Turner (pictured inset), from Lochend in Edinburgh, has known Johnnie since childhood, when they played football together.

Last September, the Musselburgh Windsor AFC goalie tackled Mont Ventoux in a cycling challenge to raise funds and awareness for Johnnie’s Journey and NET cancer.

In doing so, William raised more than £4,000, which helped foodbanks, charities and cancer patients living in East Lothian.

READ MORE: French cycle challenge to boost Tranent man's fund

In his latest challenge on September 17, William and his friend James Anderson will climb the Col Du Tourmalet, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the French Pyrenees, twice in one day from the east and the west sides.

William, a technical service advisor for MAN Truck & Bus UK, said: “My good friend Johnnie Meechan, whom many of you will already know, had an amputation early in life after an initial battle with cancer.

“Seven years ago, after feeling ill and reassessment, it was discovered he had a neuroendocrine tumour and was given a timescale of life expectancy.

“With this horrendous news, he decided to raise awareness of his not rare but little known condition by selflessly fundraising through several channels and helping others in return for promotion of his journey.

“As recently as Christmas 2020 and 2021 and during the pandemic, two sizeable four-figure sums of money were raised to

help foodbanks and cancer patients and charities all over East Lothian.

“We also had Ross Clyde do a 12-hour gym session earlier this year and several prize giveaways.

“All monies raised will again be donated to charities of Johnnie’s choosing across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

'A very difficult time'

William added that 2022 had been a tough year for Johnnie, whose mum recently passed away from cancer, while his wife Evelyn has also been diagnosed with the disease.

He said: “Johnnie is having a very difficult, busy time at present but battling on in his usual brave ways.”

On the gruelling route, William added: “It is one of the most used mountain passes in the Tour de France and was first used in 1910.

“It is the second highest mountain pass in the Pyrenees.

“It stands at 2,115 metres so we will climb 4,230 metres all in for the day and a distance of around 113km.

“We leave Argelès Gazost, where our accommodation is, and cycle to the start at Luz-Saint-Sauveur for the climb over the summit to Sainte-Marie-De-Campan and back again.”

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tourmaletjj to donate to William’s challenge.