The family of a young man who tragically died of cancer are taking on a huge challenge to raise vital funds.

Twenty relatives of Ryan Singh Balra, a 24-year-old from Iver, Buckinghamshire, who lived with a rare bone cancer for eight years, are preparing to climb the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.

The family's ambitious Three Peaks Challenge aims to honour Ryan's memory and raise funds for Sarcoma UK. Ryan, who experienced osteosarcoma from age 15 until his death last November, approached his condition with remarkable composure and continued to pursue his education and support others throughout his treatment.

It was early in 2015 that Ryan, then aged 15, noticed a pain in his fibula, which then developed into a lump. GP visits did not bring any progress and, after he couldn’t sit cross-legged, he was referred privately for an MRI scan in June.

In October 2015, Ryan underwent surgery and had 15 cm of bone removed, followed by chemotherapy.

In May 2017, he was told the cancer had returned to his lungs. A CT scan had found a nodule behind his heart, which was removed in August 2017. Further nodules were found in his lungs in 2019, which required more surgery. In 2020, Ryan had tumours in his left lung and right femur.

Despite all this, Ryan continued with his studies, sitting his GCSEs, A-levels and completing his Biomedical degree at King’s College London.

His mother Herrinder Kaur said: “He took it all in his stride. He never said ‘why me?"

In 2021, Ryan had surgery on his lungs and femur, which involved a hip replacement. Then followed a year of chemotherapy.

In 2023, he received targeted therapy but, within months, was increasingly struggling to breathe and suffered heart failure. It was found that the cancer had spread around Ryan’s body, and he died aged 24 in November 2023.

Herrinder said: “Losing Ryan was the end of my world, but he equipped us with the skills we need every day. He has given us the strength to take one day at a time.”

Ryan said he had wanted to do the Three Peaks Challenge, so that was chosen by the family as their fundraiser.

The 24-hour challenge on August 9 will involve climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m), Scafell Pike in the Lake District (978m) and Mount Snowdon in Wales (1,085m). There are 20 family members taking part, ranging in age from 17 to 61. They have already raised £16,500 and are aiming to exceed £20,000.

To donate, go to this link.