BBC DJ Mark Radcliffe will unveil his own engraved park bench on Thursday in the grounds of the University of Manchester.

The event marks not only his return to health from cancer but also launches a £20 million fundraising appeal.

The Re-Write Cancer campaign aims to help fund the development of a new £150 million cancer research facility.

It’s a joint appeal from Cancer Research UK, The Christie Charitable Fund and The University of Manchester.

Why swap broadcasting for fundraising?

Mr Radcliffe, 61, was diagnosed with cancer last October and took a short leave of absence from presenting the Folk Show on BBC Radio 2 and his weekend 6 Music show with Stuart Maconie.

He had a tumour removed from his tongue and underwent successful treatment at The Christie hospital in Manchester for cancer in the lymph nodes of his neck.

The father of three, from Knutsford, Cheshire, returned to the airwaves in February this year and has now chosen to help spearhead the campaign for a new research centre.

He said: “Facing a cancer diagnosis was extremely tough – it completely turned my life upside down and made me re-evaluate what really matters to me.”

What will you get for the tune of £150 million?

The new research building, next to The Christie hospital, is due to open in early 2022, bringing together the largest concentration of scientists, doctors and nurses in Europe to work together on advances for cancer patients.

It will be built in the same location as the Paterson building, which was home to the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and other research teams from The University of Manchester but was extensively damaged by fire in 2017.

“Plans for the new research building sound exciting and it’s amazing that such a world-leading facility will be built on my doorstep in the North West”, said Mr Radcliffe, “Research into cancer is the key to changing lives now and in the future. Without it I simply wouldn’t be standing – or sitting – here today.”

What will be the benchmark of success in this campaign?

For former University of Manchester graduate Mr Radcliffe it is all about rewriting the future after a cancer diagnosis.

As the inscription on his new bench reads: “Mark Radcliffe loved sitting here….and still does thanks to advances in cancer research.”