A FATHER will cycle 500km across Thailand to raise money for a prosthetic leg for his daughter.

Seventeen-year-old Felicia Cantone had her right leg amputated at ten after being diagnosed Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

Doctors gave her just a 20 per cent chance of survival. But she has battled through, thanks to stem cell treatment which she must undergo every four years, until she is 21, at the Biocare International Hospital, in Tijuana, Mexico. Her dad, Carlo, and five friends will cycle across Thailand to raise money for the treatment and a prosthetic leg with a robotic knee, which will cost £70,000.

Carlo Cantone, 48, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Southend, said: “The leg they have given Felicia on the NHS is really heavy, it weighs a stone and isn’t flexible.

“With the new prosthetic, she will be able to run, dance and do everything as a normal teenager.”

The team, who will cycle over five days in 35 degree heat and extreme humidity, have so far raised £3,000.

Carlo said: “It’s 500km through hills and countryside and I’ve been training for six months. I’ve been going to spin classes every morning and running and going to the gym and doing about six or seven hours a week.

“I’ve been working very hard to try to get ready, but it’s going to be gruelling. It’s not just the distance, it will be the heat and humidity.”

Carlo and his friends will fly to Thailand in early April to begin their massive challenge and Felicia will support them at home.

Carlo said: “Felicia is really excited about it and is proud of me.

She is fantastic. She has learned to drive and is doing amazingly. She is so proactive and is at college in Southend doing a business course.

Now we just have to keep her healthy.

“Before she was diagnosed she had a sore ankle and leg with swelling. I was in Australia on business at the time and when I got the call about the diagnosis, it was a very dramatic thing. One of the worst things was I was in Australia and it took me about 36 hours to get home.”

To sponsor Carlo visit indiegogo.com/projects/felicia-cantone-cancer-treatment