A Bradford charity fundraiser and cancer survivor is urging the city to follow in his footsteps and Stand Up To Cancer.

Andy Jackson, 43, of Holme Wood, is encouraging people to join the national campaign this Friday in order to raise funds for ground-breaking cancer research.

Supporters can opt to test their endurance by staying upright for the full 24-hours, or go to extremes by standing in a weird and wonderful location.

Alternatively, they could rise to the occasion by going for fancy footwear and swapping stilettos for flippers in the office.

Mr Jackson, who volunteers for Cancer Research UK’s Bradford fundraising group, has already raised more than £100,000 for the charity in the past three years. Now he is passionate about getting other men, women and children across the city to stand up to raise funds for life-saving research into the devastating disease.

He said: “Last February I was told I had a type of skin cancer. Luckily for me it was a non-malignant melanoma and I just had to have the lump removed.

“Like most of us, I’ve known people whose lives have also been touched by the disease, so this is an opportunity to make a stand and help more people survive.”

In 2012, Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 joined forces to hold Stand Up To Cancer for the first time in the UK, raising £8 million.

About three people are diagnosed with cancer every hour in Yorkshire and The Humber, and those getting involved in the campaign will unite with doctors, nurses, scientists and celebrities to generate funds, raise awareness and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK’s spokesman for Yorkshire, said: “We are calling on everyone in Bradford to join Andy and unite with people across the UK to Stand Up To Cancer on October 18.

“Thanks to research, more people are surviving cancer than ever before but there’s still so much more to do. It’s not technology or knowledge that is holding back our fight against cancer, it’s funding.

“You can make your stand as easy or challenging as you like. It’s a great opportunity to indulge your imagination or test your stamina. However, you plan your stand, the key thing is to have fun and join the day of mass action to strike at the core of cancer.”

For more information or to get involved, visit standuptocancer.org.uk.