A STEETON man battling cancer won a luxury campervan in a prize draw and declared: “It’s one of the most amazing things that’s ever happened to me”.

Chris Riley, 29, scooped the £50,000 Volkswagen vehicle in a venture run by Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge, as part of a fundraising appeal.

He received a shock diagnosis of stage 4 stomach cancer last year.

Chris – who has been on furlough from his job as a barber in Cross Hills – was told he could live for another two years, depending on how he responded to treatment.

The cycling enthusiast says the campervan win means he and his fiancee, Elle, can now plan to travel the UK together safely this summer.

“A number of us in the family entered the prize draw after seeing the Stump Cross Caverns appeal on Instagram,” he said.

“I bought one £10 ticket to support the campaign and forgot all about it.

“Then, on the day the winner was announced, I heard someone called Chris had won but I didn’t think for one minute it would be me! A phone call from my brother, Alex, soon followed confirming the good news.

“Having had a tough 12 months, following my diagnosis, this was the best news ever.

“It makes a nice change to have a run of good luck. I’ve responded well to recent chemotherapy treatment and am hopeful doctors will give me the green light to return to work soon. Winning the campervan is one of the most amazing things that’s ever happened to me. We’ve now got plenty to look forward to this coming summer.”

Stump Cross Caverns launched a crowdfunding appeal after being hit hard by the impact of the pandemic.

The initiative included the opportunity for supporters to win the campervan, belonging to the caves’ owner Lisa Bowerman.

An initial target of £53,000 was set to save the popular attraction from closure, but thanks to UK-wide backing nearly £70,000 has been raised and the site is due to reopen next month.

Lisa said she was “thrilled” when she heard Chris had won the campervan.

“It was an emotional moment when I learned of Chris’ story,” she added.

“It means so much to us to know that our appeal – and the generosity of our supporters – has not only saved the caves from closure and safeguarded our team, but will also help someone who’ll really benefit from this truly amazing prize.”

Social distancing and forced closures led to a huge drop in income for the caverns. An application for Government Covid funding was unsuccessful. Now a petition is calling for support from the Chancellor to help sustain the attraction.

“Unlike other heritage sites we’ve been left to fend for ourselves,” said Lisa. For more, visit stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk.