From cancer ward to the top of the world

Lisburn man Paul, who is married to Claire with three daughters Kara, Ella and Nina, together with his older brother Mark, who lives in Dromore with his wife Louise, son Reece and daughter Madison, will take on the challenge in October to raise money for Friends of the Cancer Centre.

The charity is close to the hearts of both men and fundraising is already well underway.

“Eight years ago I went through a life changing experience when I was told the dreaded news that I had testicular cancer,” explained Paul.

“I was told on a Monday and approximately three weeks later I had surgery, the day before my 30th birthday.

“To make the event even more unbelievable, my wife gave birth to our second daughter Ella at the same time.

“I was due to go into hospital on the Monday morning and Ella was born in the early hours of Monday, so I got to see her born before I went in.

“Maybe it was fate that she had to be born before I went in.

“The surgery was successful and I got the all clear a few days before Christmas that year and didn’t need to have any chemotherapy. Now I am eight years cancer free and loving life.”

After deciding to raise money for the cancer charity, Paul and his brother Mark looked into doing the Everest trek and decided it was the right challenge for them.

“I then decided on a charity and went for Friends of the Cancer Centre as they still deal with me personally, along with thousands of other people in Northern Ireland so if I could give even a little back then it would be worth it.”

The brothers then set out on a fundraising drive and began training for the big event.

“We have a poker night in the Bluebell arranged for March 29,” explained Paul.

“We also have a spinathon arranged in Ards Shopping Centre for April 5, fire side quiz sheets to be drawn on Easter Sunday.

“We are planning on a ‘night at the races’ in the Bluebell for the end of April, and in May we are doing a street collection in Lisburn.

“We are both in training for the trek. We both go to gyms and Mark is involved with Rugby in Dromore.

“We are also doing hill walking when possible and recently we hiked up Slieve Donard to aid our training.”

To find out more or to sponsor Paul and Mark visit -