Greenock family raised thousands for charity to support much-loved granddad's cancer battle

A DEVOTED family inspired by a much-loved husband, dad and granddad have raised almost £2,600 for cancer research.

Team Jimmy took part in the 10k Race for Life as a tribute to Jimmy Lyons who is bravely battling cancer for the second time.

Jimmy, 61, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus last July and has undergone gruelling chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had a stent inserted to make it easier for him to swallow.

His wife Kathleen, 62, decided to get the family together to take part in the charity run to give Jimmy a boost and raise awareness about oesophageal cancer which is a lesser known form of the disease and has a poor survival rate.

Kathleen, a retired depute head teacher at St Columba's High School, said: "There was a great atmosphere on the day. There were so many people sharing their stories.

"I'm totally shocked at how much we raised and very grateful for all the donations.

"We have chosen to give it to research into oesophageal cancer.

"We have had donations from Singapore and two from Canada."

Kathleen was joined by their daughters Paula Harkins and Leanne Cannon and granddaughter Grace Harkins who is only five.

Kathleen's three sisters Hannah Clarke, Nuala Ward and Margaret Jenkins, sister-in-law Ann Gillen and nieces Siobhan Clarke, Vickki Ward and Sophie Gillen also took part.

The couple live in Albert Road and Jimmy was a crew commander at Gourock Retained Fire Station for 28 years.

He also ran a business Carpet Pride in Shore Street for many years.

Jimmy described the symptoms as an 'irritation' and had problems swallowing.

An endoscopy confirmed that he had a tumour in his gullet.

Jimmy said: "I had an inkling something wasn't right because I had cancer before.

"I had bowel cancer eight-nine years ago but it was caught early.

"There were eight of us all from this area who were undergoing radiotherapy at the same time for bowel cancer. I went straight to my doctor but the others didn't and it was diagnosed until later. I was the only one who survived. It's so sad but that's why I would urge people to go to their doctor if they have any symptoms."

But Jimmy said oesophageal cancer is difficult to diagnose, saying people put it down to something they've eaten or acid reflux, which can later develop into cancer.

He said: "I would urge people to be strong. Some people don't want to know what the story is but if it is diagnosed early it can be beaten."

But this time the disease has taken its toll on the once-fit fireman, who led the response to the massive Gantock Hotel 10 years ago.

Jimmy has lost four and a half stones.

He said: "It's terminal and sometimes I feel I'm living day to day.

"You go through different stages and think 'why me?' and think when is it going to happen?

"It depends how strong you are feeling.

"A big strength of mine is definitely my family."

Jimmy's immune system has been affected and this means he can easily pick up infections or became ill.

He had to be admitted to hospital on Christmas Day to boost his fluids and blood levels.

The grandfather also recently spent 12 days in Ardgowan Hospice for palliative care.

He has nothing but praise for hospice staff.

He said: "I always thought, and I think a lot of people think, that the hospice is the last place you want to go because if you go in you won't come back out again.

"But you learn about things and your condition and treatment and you get emotional as well as physical support.

"There's not one member of staff who didn't welcome me and we were all on first-name terms.

His hospice stay was aimed at stabilising his condition and working around the strong medication to help him eat a bit better and boost his immune system.

Jimmy said: "It's helped me to eat a bit better and help me sleep. It's really aimed at giving me a better quality of life."

The retired fireman was so proud of what his family had done that he contacted the Telegraph from his bed in the hospice.

He said: "It's all about them and their achievements.

"I was so surprised that they raised so much. I thought raising £300 or £400 would have been excellent but they went well above that.

"It just shows what a tremendous family I have, not only Kathleen and our daughters, grandchildren and Kathleen sisters and nieces. We have four grandkids, Michael, 10

Grace, and Leo who is two and Alex who is seven months.

"They are all wee characters and it's great to see them. We have a massive extended family - we need a turnstile for all our family and friends who visit us."