In 2012 our family received the devastating news that my dad had primary liver cancer. Nothing can ever prepare you for that kind of news but the staff at the Leeds Liver Unit were amazing. They were optimistic and supportive and discussed with us as a family Dad’s options.

In August 2012 Dad underwent a liver resection to remove the tumour and nine days later he was home. He went from strength to strength over the following weeks. Over the next three years Dad visited the Liver Unit at St. James’s every six months for scans and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the scans were clear.

Sadly in December 2015 Dad was given the crushing news that the cancer had returned and again we had the family discussions with the Consultants and Nurses at the Liver Unit. Dad’s only option was to have a full liver transplant and he was placed on the transplant list in February 2016. My sister and I started undergoing tests to see if we were suitable matches to donate half of either of our livers to Dad. Understandably, Dad didn‘t want to us to do it as there were risks involved.

On 15 April 2016, thanks to organ donation, Dad received the liver he needed and after a 10-hour transplant and nine days in hospital, Dad came home. His recovery was nothing short of miraculous and just five weeks after his transplant, on 22 May, he and my mum gave me away at my wedding. He was happy and well and we were so grateful to the wonderful family of the organ donor and the continued care and support from The Leeds Liver Unit.

On 7 June 2017, my dad, my hero and my friend passed away peacefully at home with his family around him. In October 2016 Dad’s new liver had begun rejecting and despite all the efforts of the staff at St. James’s Liver Unit there was nothing more they could do. Dad died from complications related to the rejection. He bore the final weeks of his illness with incredible fortitude and amazed the nurses and his carers with his strength and resillience to the end. But not us - we knew what he was like.

On 23 June this year, in memory of our amazing dad and to mark the first anniversary of his passing, my sister and I (and other family members) will be attempting to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge with all funds raised going to The Leeds Liver Unit Trust Fund. We will be helped in our endeavour by our wonderful mum who will be in the support car as we cover the 24-mile trek.

The money we raise will continue to help the work of The Liver Unit in caring for and supporting people like my dad, and their families.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.