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Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

Cumbernauld man who 'feared the worst' after cancer diagnosis raises over £100k for Beatson

A man from Cumbernauld has raised more than £100k for the Beatson in the last 10 years following his battle with cancer.

Paul Sheerin was diagnosed with testicular cancer in January 2013 and was later told the disease had spread to his stomach.

Now he works for the charity that helped save his life and continues to raise vital funds to help those in need of treatment.

The dad-of-three shared his cancer journey with Glasgow Live. He said: "Within the space of two or three weeks one of my testicles had grown substantially in size and that set off alarm bells.

Read more: Lanarkshire schoolgirl's brother pleads 'ask for help' after losing second sister to suicide

"I went to the GP and I was told I needed an ultrasound. I was on a two week waiting list.

"One night I was in my work place at the time and I was doubled over in pain. When I went home in the morning, because it was nightshift, my wife made another appointment and I got taken straight to hospital.

"The doctor said it could be one of three things, a sport injury, a twist or testicular cancer.

"The worry began to set in and then I was told it was testicular cancer. I was completely shocked.

"When you hear the word cancer you automatically think the worst, which is a natural reaction for a lot of people.

Paul and his family at the footgolf (supplied)

"The day after I was told, I got the affected testicle removed and referred to the Beatson.

"I was later sent for a CT scan and it was revealed the tumour had spread to my stomach and that's why I had to go through chemotherapy."

The now 43-year-old was left devastated after being told the terrifying news.

However, his wife, Louise, provided Paul with even more motivation to get better when she revealed that the pair were set to have another child.

He said: "There were times I'd never thought I'd be here.

"One week in particular I thought I wasn't going to be here.

"The day before my treatment started we found out my wife was pregnant with my second child and that gave me the boost to push forward."

The fundraiser now considers the Beatson to be a massive part of his and his family's lives after it provided him with incredible support during the difficult period.

Paul explained: "I always said that when I was well enough I'd volunteer for the charity to give back and fundraise.

"It has kind of escalated a wee bit because I was doing a lot of volunteering between working full-time.

"The first thing I ever did was a pathetic attempt at Movember in 2013 and then the following year I took part in a lot Beatson events.

Paul was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 (Beatson Cancer Charity)

"Then in 2017 I decided that I'd organise my own fundraisers. That year I organised my first ever footgolf tournament, that was a huge success and I've done it every year since apart from when Covid kicked off.

"At the moment I'm sitting at £117,098.12 raised over the last 10 year.

"It has been a hard graft. When I was turning 40 in 2019 I decided to do a fundraiser every month for the full year and raised £34,000."

This Sunday the cancer survivor will join thousands of others in the Glasgow Kiltwalk to raise funds for his beloved charity.

It will be Paul's 10th time taking part in the event and it is one he looks forward to each year.

The volunteer co-ordinator said: "I absolutely love the Kiltwalks.

"I was never the fittest person but to walk more than 20 miles is amazing.

Paul is taking part in his 10th Kiltwalk (Beatson Cancer Charity)

"You are spurred on by the inspiring stories and the people you walk beside. The Kiltwalk is up there in my top events.

"It lets you see parts of Scotland you've never seen before. Being from the west of Glasgow I've never really appreciated Edinburgh much, but walking along Portobello beach is amazing.

"The hardest was the three peaks challenge where I climbed Ben Narnain, Ben Ime and The Cobbler in one day, that was a hard one.

"This might be my last Kiltwalk, because my knees are starting to scream at me.

"But I never say never because I probably will end up signing up for it next year."

Although the Kiltwalk is just days away, Paul, already has his eyes set on the next event.

The charity worker said: "Next on the agenda after the Kiltwalk is a 10 year cancer free party.

"We will have a big celebration but it will be a fundraiser essentially.

"While have the support of the people round about me I will keep doing it. Until people tell me that I've done enough, I'll keep going.

"I'm so passionate about the place. Now that I work here I know how much care and attention people get."

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