A MAN will be walking 5 km through the Cotswolds with over 50 of his friends for charity on the anniversary of a lime-sized brain tumour being removed.

Steven Joynes, who found out about the tumour by accident at a 'routine' eye exam will be walking from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter and back on July 21 to raise money for the charity Shine. 

After living in Bourton for over 25 years, Mr Joynes said that he felt lucky to be alive after not knowing he had a brain tumour for 23 years and wanted to give back to the charity that helped him through the process. 

Mr Joynes said: "I feel quite lucky to be alive, if it wasn't for Specsavers and the NHS I would not be here today. 

"I became aware of the tumour from Specsavers in Witney last year after they said something was not quite right and apparently I had a lime-sized brain tumour that I had not known about for the last 23 years. 

"I will be walking from Lower Slaughter Cricket Club to Upper Slaughter and back on the first anniversary of my first surgery."

The brain tumour removal surgery left Mr Joynes with fluid on the brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus, leaving him unable to walk. 

In August Mr Joynes had another further surgery to drain the excess fluid. 

Mr Joynes continued: "After my surgery, me and my wife Charlotte felt so isolated and scared because we didn't know much about hydrocephalus, but Shine was able to help and support us through the process and we want to give back as they were there when we needed help.

"The walk is a nice route, if we were to walk around Bourton it would be an absolute nightmare. 

"Both my boys play at the cricket club and everyone is really friendly."

Mr Joynes has currently raised £850 of his £1,000 target, to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/steves-5k-walk-for-shine

The walk starts at 11am and 70 people have already agreed to participate. 

The Lower Slaughter Cricket Club bar will be open for refreshments as well as burgers and hotdogs.