Friends of a Marlow man, who lost his life to a rare form of cancer, are bracing themselves to scale the dizzying heights of Ben Nevis to raise money for charity.

Oliver Rudkins and Matt Silk will climb 4,413 feet to the summit of Scotland's tallest mountain on June 28 in memory of their late friend, Michael Jeffs, who tragically died from soft tissue sarcoma in 2022, at the age of 28. 

Michael was diagnosed with the cancer in 2017 after suffering from nosebleeds.

Doctors revealed a radiation-induced sarcoma, a late effect of the radiotherapy he received as a baby to treat bilateral retinoblastoma, a cancer in both his eyes.

After a gruelling year of treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery, Michael was told he was free of the disease in 2018.

However, the cruel disease returned and rapidly spread, and in 2020, he was informed his illness was terminal.

He passed away peacefully at home in May 2022.

Rudkins and Silk's mammoth challenge coincides with the 30 for 30 Challenge.

The campaign runs throughout the year, raising money for Michael’s chosen charities: Sarcoma UK, Macmillan, Thames Hospice, and The Children’s Eye Cancer Trust.

Members of Michael's inner circle established the challenge in a bid to honour his memory and support the charities that helped him throughout his illness.

In a heartening move of solidarity, Michael's father's company, Orange Aero Ltd, has pledged to match the donations raised.

Previous events range from skydives to tough mudders, and from Lake District cycle rides to cake sales.

An upcoming London to Brighton bike ride is also scheduled for September.

Oliver, a former colleague of Michael's at Apple, said: "Michael liked hiking and we wanted to do something to raise funds that he would have enjoyed doing himself.

"Even though his life was cut short, he did more than most people do in a lifetime.

"He was an inspirational person."

His mother, Sandra, echoed this sentiment.

She said: "Sarcoma is such a brutal disease but Michael learned to live with his cancer and had a full life in his 28 years.

"As his mum, I can truly say that he was the bravest, most courageous man you could ever meet, and there were only a few days that he didn’t manage to smile or joke.

"These events aim to make a real difference while remembering the enduring spirit of Michael who we all miss so much."

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications and Fundraising at Sarcoma UK, praised Michael’s indomitable spirit.

She said: "Anyone who reads Michael’s blog will appreciate that he went through so much – both as a baby and as an adult.

"Yet he still managed to live a full life in his 28 years and obviously made a huge impression on those who knew him.

"Sarcoma UK is humbled to be one of the charities to benefit from the challenges being held in his memory.

"We are committed to honouring his memory by strive to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of sarcoma, as well as increase research to improve early detection and create new treatments."

You can donate to 30 for 30 at: https://sponsorme.charitiestrust.org/campaign/fb9c4bb7-1e13-4224-bd17-543f19a30283.