An East Hampshire cancer survivor is supporting the surgeons who treated her as they take on a gruelling 600-kilometre cycling challenge through the French Alps to raise money for cancer research.

Tim Underwood and Jamie Kelly, from the gastrointestinal surgery team at the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton (UHS), along with six teammates, will cycle from Avignon to Annecy over six days, tackling some of the most demanding climbs in European cycling.

Among those supporting the team is Nicola Packer, from Alton, who was treated by the Southampton team after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2021 at the age of 53.

She underwent a course of treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and major surgery performed by Professor Underwood to remove her oesophagus.

Starting on Sunday, September 6, the cyclists will tackle iconic Tour de France climbs including Mont Ventoux, the Col d’Izoard, the Col de Sarenne, the Glandon and the Madeleine – totalling 14,000 metres of climbing.

Ms Packer said: “At the end of my treatment, I said I would do anything in my power to help other people not go through the mill like I did.”

In 2024, Ms Packer and her husband Jeremy organised a 300-mile fundraising cycling challenge in support of the university’s research programme.

Mr Underwood, professor of gastrointestinal surgery at the University of Southampton, and director of research at the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland, said: “Every one of the six days will be a long mountain day, with sustained climbs, heat, altitude and cumulative fatigue – which would challenge even the most experienced professional cyclist, never mind us amateurs.”

Mr Kelly, consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeon and fellow member of the Southampton team, said: “However hard it feels, we are doing this to raise critical funds for oesophageal cancer research to help patients who do not have a choice in their challenge. Recovery after oesophagectomy is prolonged and demanding, often requiring months of physical and psychological adjustment.”

Oesophageal cancer is one of the hardest cancers to treat successfully. Even following chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, about 70 percent of patients see their cancer return, and only about 10 percent of patients survive for 10 years post-treatment.

Southampton is leading the way in investigating new and innovative ways of treating oesophageal cancer and working to identify rare residual cancer cells that can survive treatment and drive recurrence.

Mr Underwood said: “It matters enormously to us that Nicola will be supporting us. It reflects something important about cancer care and research here at Southampton – it’s not just about operations, chemotherapy or lab science.

“It is about long-term relationships between patients, families, nurses, scientists and clinicians, all working together to improve outcomes.”

To sponsor the Avignon to Annecy challenge at JustGiving: Jeremy Packer is fundraising for University of Southampton.

The University of Southampton has announced plans for a groundbreaking new medical institute which will bring medics, computer scientists and engineers together in one brand new building.

The pioneering Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) will be based at UHS and will tackle five devastating disease areas - cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection and respiratory and allergic conditions.