While working as a fireman, Lloyd rescued two small boys from a house fire in Dagenham, Essex. As a result he inhaled a lot of toxic smoke. Following a number of tests he was diagnosed as having chronic myeloid leukaemia.

At the time of diagnosis his chance of survival lay at less than 10%. After finding a matching bone marrow donor from a member of the public, Lloyd underwent a bone marrow transplant. Three weeks prior to this, he ran in the London Marathon to demonstrate that one can make the most of any situation, despite suffering from a life-threatening illness.

Despite very nearly losing his fight for life and after a long slow recovery, he again ran the London Marathon the following year, to raise money for charity and to show to other sufferers that leukaemia and other cancers can, with a positive outlook and attitude, be beaten and overcome.

Since that London Marathon, Lloyd has completed the Snowdonia Marathon, the toughest in Britain, the Everest Marathon, a full marathon run 18,000 feet up the world's highest mountain, and a 145 mile stage marathon through the Sahara Desert. Although the highly intensive chemo and radiotherapy treatment has affected Lloyd's physical capabilities, he has also undertaken expeditions to both the North and South Poles and a 135 mile ultra-marathon through Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth. In 2000, Lloyd underwent a pioneering surgery technique to replace his right hip.

To date he has raised nearly £5m for charity through various fundraising challenges, these include the London and New York Marathons in a deep sea divers outfit and an underwater marathon in Loch Ness and cycling across Australia from Perth to Sydney on a Penny Farthing. There is just no stopping him.