Thank you for taking the time to read my story

After being misdiagnosed  in February 2019 with a painfull "fatty lump"  after months of pushing by my  now wife  to the gp to get me referred to a specialist I was finally diagnosed in October 2019 with a huge paraspinal  sarcoma tumour infused with my spine and pushing on my spinal cord . Growing fast with secondary tumours in my lungs . 

To be told at 35 ,only weeks after getting engaged  that it could not be removed as too high a risk of paralises or death without treatment I'd live only 2 to 3 months .or I could try a very intense chemotherapy that if worked would maybe give me 12 to 18 months but only a 30 percent chance of anything working and still a very high chance of being paralised  and  we can only try to buy time .and straight onto chemo the very next day ,was and still is absolutely devastating .

But here I am 2 and a half years on still here , married to the love of my life.  And trying to be a good husband and step dad to 3 truly amazing step children whilst still fighting every day to  survive  with more and more physical and mental problems. And all of life's many problems and heartaches.

having had  a positive response to the very very tough chemotherapy.  Although a very long  and horrendous time psychically  and mentally for not only me but my family and friends  it seemed to have stopped the tumour and even shrunk slightly.

Having been told that if we wanted to be wed  to make it happen asap so my family friends and local community really went above and beyond to make our dream come true. For that I will be eternally grateful and humbled . Having our wedding during covid  with limited numbers but all very much loved guests. 

Since then I have had a radiotherapy  plan and a further chemotherapy plan to try keep things under control . Although things have slowed down it is still very much trying to buy time . Having been on a treatment break of 3 months now the imminent scan will determine how the next wee while plays out.

Having spent over 100 days in hospital either as an in or out patient the care iv received in the anchor unit is amazing.  They put you at ease and it soon becomes like a second home and it becomes your safe place . And you build up relationships with all of the staff.

So I wanted to show my appreciation by raising money to help friends of anchor reach their targets with the dedicated anchor centre currently being constructed.

So I'm doing a vintage tractor run on the 9th of April in my late dad's 1956 grey fergie kitted out with the friends of anchor attire.

I was asked in 2020 if I wanted to take part in Brave the fashion show for men going through or been through a cancer diagnosis. At that time I was not in a good place . But as fate would have it due to covid it was cancelled and only back this year. So I decided I wanted to challenge myself totally out of my comfort zone and definitely after so much weight gain And body fatigue . 

So rehearsals are in full swing with 23 other very brave and inspirational men who all have their own story to tell.

So please show any support you can as I believe every family  in the North East has had or will have support from friends of anchor in their lifetime 

I'm taking part in Brave 2022 to raise vital funds for Friends of ANCHOR. All donations will go towards the charity’s ANCHORED Together appeal.

The charity's biggest campaign to-date will provide vital investment for The ANCHOR Centre, due to open in Aberdeen in 2023 and estimated to be used by 65,000 patients every year.

100% of your donation will go directly towards the cause, as Friends of ANCHOR’s operating costs are covered by Balmoral Group, as they have been since the charity was founded 25 years ago. For more information about the cause, please visit www.friendsofanchor.org or email info@friendsofanchor.org.