My Dad was just 63 when he was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 bowel cancer, in September 2016. Our world came crashing down around us.

He had been having symptoms for months without saying anything, until my Mum noticed blood in the toilet and made him go to his GP. He had lost a lot of weight but we had put it down to him being on a diet which he had been for a while. The devastating news left us heartbroken, and it came as both my brother and myself were planning our weddings.

My Dad was so strong throughout 7 months of Chemotherapy, and two scans showing the tumours had shrunk. Although it was palliative Chemotherapy, this was the best news we could as for. My Dad fell ill at the end of April 2017, and was in and out of hospital for a week. He passed away on 5th May, the day before his 64th birthday, from Sepsis.

This came just 3 months before my brother’s wedding, and just 5 months before my own wedding.

Since losing my Dad I have started to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK, and in 2018 I took part in Be a Star Bake a Cake, I held a weeklong event at work and raised over £100 in my Dad’s name.

More recently I took part in the #thisisbowelcancer campaign and raised more money by selling cake pops at my workplace.

I have also recently started an initiative in Liverpool called #TheTommyMovement to raise awareness of bowel cancer, and the signs and symptoms. I have asked bars, restaurants, shops etc. to display Bowel Cancer UK symptoms posters in their restrooms, both public and staff facilities. I currently have around 12 companies involved in Liverpool, Manchester and around the country, all displaying symptoms posters, including McDonalds, The Gym Group, The Everyman Theatre and Bierkeller.

It is so important to know the signs and symptoms to be able to get an early diagnosis.