Greenock man John McNab, 28, feared he would be ruled out of Ardgowan Hospice’s Sunset Walk in May this year because he is man.

He had wanted to join his sisters on the emotionally-charged fundraiser after losing his dad Thomas to lung cancer last August.

In his final days he was cared for by the hospice staff and the family were overwhelmed by their kindness.

John was initially told that he wouldn’t be able to take part in the Sunset Walk before the Tele stepped in.

Hospice chief executive Ann Mills immediately announced that she was ripping up the rulebook to welcome him on board.

John, of Florence Street, said: “I wanted to do this walk with my sisters.

“When I entered and tried to pay my entry fee I didn’t realise it was for women only.

“I couldn’t understand why — men are affected by cancer too.

“But I am delighted now that I can do it.

“It was something we wanted to do as a family.” John says the pain of losing his dad is still keenly felt by all the family.

His mum Isabel, 49, his older brother Thomas, 30, sisters Siobhan, 22, and Tracey, 20 were all deeply shocked to lose Thomas.

The 52-year-old handyman, inset, was diagnosed with lung cancer last June and was only given months to live.

He had been suffering from ill health for more than a year and had been getting treated for sciatica in his spine.

But after months of uncertainty a specialist diagnosed him with cancer.

John added: “They found a tumour bursting out his lung. He was told that there was nothing they could do.

“I know people who have lived maybe five years but my dad only lived for another two months.

“We are all still in terrible shock and still grieving for my dad.

“It was so sudden.” Thomas died on 6 September last year, three weeks after the birth of his grandson Keegan, Siobhan’s first child.

John said: “Keegan was born early — he must have known he had someone to see first.

“It was great my dad got to meet him.” The Sunset Walk, which is held in May, has grown into a major event in Inverclyde, with hundreds of people walking or running together in memory of loved ones.

Many former cancer patients also get involved to raise vital funds and John is delighted he will be able to help the hospice too.

He said: “The hospice really was amazing when we lost my dad — they were so caring to him and they couldn’t do enough for us.

“Doing the walk is our way of saying thanks.” Sister Siobhan added: “My partner Darren is also planning to take part in the walk.

“It is something that we really wanted to do as a family.” Hospice chief executive Mrs Mills says she will be delighted to welcome John on the Sunset Walk.

She said: “This event is traditionally ladies-only but we are more than delighted to have him particpate, along with his sisters, to raise funds for the hospice in memory of his dad.

“We know how much this means to them as family.

“Every single penny raised by John and his fellow walkers will remain in Inverclyde to help care for local folk.” There is still time to reigster for The Sunset Walk at www.ardgowanhospice.org.uk