A Royal Marsden patient who lost his mum to breast cancer is walking in memory of her and to give thanks to its staff next month.

Cameron McLagan, 20, is participating in The Marsden March on March 4 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last September.

The second-year Chichester University student, from Epsom, received the news only days after starting his second year and is currently being treated at the Royal Marsden’s Oak Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP) unit.

He said: “I was finding it really difficult to walk and could not stay awake. On reflection, I was possibly experiencing symptoms for a while over the summer leading up to my diagnosis but I did not think it was anything serious.

“I went to my local hospital and was diagnosed with testicular cancer and it had spread to my lungs. My right lung had collapsed which would explain why I was struggling to walk.

“I do not have many memories of my mum [Jackie] being at The Royal Marsden as I was only 12 when she passed away. She was diagnosed when I was one and I think I was sheltered from a lot of her treatment.”

Dad Martin McLagan described Cameron’s diagnosis as ‘surreal’ following the tragic news about his partner 19 years ago.

He said: “Coming back to the Royal Marsden was difficult for me as I had spent so much time there with my wife during treatment.

“I am a firm believer in playing with the cards you are dealt so we have both been very positive. I am so proud of Cameron, it will be emotional for us on the day of The Royal Marsden March but something we both really want to do.”

The 14-mile walk, sponsored by security firm Banham, is now in its eighth year and will commence on March 4.

More than £10 million has been raised since it started in 2011 and all of it goes towards helping people’s live across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Cameron added: “I am so grateful for my treatment and want to do all I can to raise money. The OCCYP was funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and it is nothing like what you’d expect from an NHS hospital.

“It is so homely, the facilities are amazing and the staff could not be nicer. To be able to sit in a nice environment makes all the difference when you are undergoing cancer treatment.”

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity director Antonia Dalmahoy said: “We are focused on improving the lives of people affected by cancer and are so grateful to patients, like Cameron, who take part in The Marsden March.

“Our patients see first-hand how the money raised from The Marsden March can enhance their treatment with more comfortable surroundings or access to pioneering treatments.”