A TEENAGER from Blisworth wants to ‘give something back’ to charity after he found out his dad has cancer.
Craig Holton, 19, who is studying sports science at Manchester University, is aiming to raise £2,500 for Bowel Cancer UK after his father Mike was diagnosed with the disease last March.
Now Craig is planning to run the London Marathon in April and will hold a charity day at Towcester Rugby Club.
Craig said: “I want to increase awareness of the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and raise funds for the charity which does so much work in this field.
“You hear a lot about cancer on the news but it’s not until it affects you directly that you
realise the amount of support that is needed.” Father-of-two
Mike said: “When I was told I had cancer a whole host of things went through my mind such as devastation, shock and surprise.
“The first question I asked the consultant was ‘am I going to die?’ I was told they would not know until they had done a biopsy and even after the operation
I did not really find out until a week later.
“I was told they had got it early enough and the cancer had not spread anywhere else.”
He added: “Since I have recovered it does feel like I have been given a new lease of life.
“Treatment for cancer has improved. If this had happened a few years ago I would not be talking to you.
“The prognosis for me is good but I will need a check up every six months for the next three years.”
Craig can be sponsored at www.virginmoneygiving.com/craigholtonrun
The Department of Health is currently running a national bowel cancer awareness campaign.
