A British man is believed to have become the first cancer patient to climb Everest.

Ian Toothill was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2015 and told he might have only four months to live. But two years on he has conquered the world’s highest peak, raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

The 47-year-old personal trainer reached the summit on Monday. He celebrated by planting a flag for Sheffield United in the snow – despite being a devoted fan of their rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A friend had promised to donate £1,000 if he could carry out the stunt at 8,848 metres (29,029ft) above sea level.

He tweeted a photo and wrote: “Nothing to see here, just some cancer dude @swfc fan on the summit of Everest with an @SUFC_tweets flag.”

He has raised almost £31,500, with a goal of £250,000.

According to the BBC, Toothill was accompanied for part of the climb by Leslie Binns, from Rotherham, who abandoned a climb to the summit last June after saving the life of a fellow climber.

On his JustGiving fundraising page, Toothill wrote: “In June 2015 I was diagnosed with cancer and was given between four months and two years to live. Against all odds, I beat it. Sadly, it has come back, and I am now living with cancer and fighting it every day.

“No one with cancer has ever reached the summit of Mount Everest before. I’m determined to prove anything is possible, no matter what your situation.”

He said climbing Everest was his childhood dream and he hoped to spur on other cancer sufferers to achieve their life goals. “I also want to inspire anyone living with cancer to go and do that special thing they’ve always wanted to do. Of course, that thing might not be climbing a mountain. It could be finishing that book you’ve always said you would write, learning a new skill, or taking that dream trip,” he wrote.

He added: “I’ve always had a strong passion for adventure and discovering new challenges. My time in the military enabled me to seek new adventures around the globe; I’ve previously climbed in the Himalayas for three months, and I’ve walked across Iceland solo and unsupported.”