A MAN from Skipton who worried he might not still be alive last Christmas after getting a cancer diagnosis completed this year's Great North Run, raising £5,000 for Macmillan nurses.

Adam Dutton was a keen runner before being diagnosed with throat cancer and – once recovered – was keen to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in his 16th Great North Run, less than a year after he started treatment.

He said, “I was diagnosed in October 2022 with secondary cancer. My primary cancer was throat cancer, which was caused by a viral infection. It was caught early and I’m delighted to say treatment has been successful, and I’ve got the all-clear. It’s still monitored on a monthly basis.

“My diagnosis was a shock. Nobody wants to hear the news. After the biopsy I was told it would be investigated in the next week to 10 days, then I got a phone call from my local doctors the next day. I was told to come in and bring someone with me. I thought ‘Oh my goodness’ and you drop through the floor.

"My partner picked me up and I got the results quickly. There wasn’t much time to think about it from October. I was worrying about whether to bother doing Christmas cards. But I was looking on the brighter side of things and was sure I’d get through it. I remained positive throughout.

“I had support from Macmillan nurses who were so kind and caring. They looked after me on my hospital visits. The two Claires were marvellous and really took care of me. All the therapy staff were brilliant, too. I was well looked after.”

Adam endured seven weeks of radiotherapy and two bouts of chemotherapy, finishing his treatment in January 2023.

He said: “I was a keen runner beforehand and wanted to combine getting back to it with raising some money this year.

“So I took part in the Great North Run with the mission of fundraising for Macmillan. When I started my training, it was like I had never run before! So – even though it was my 16th - it was definitely the toughest!

“I managed to finish in a two-hour timeframe - which isn’t a personal best, but I was delighted with the achievement. I tried to raise awareness of my fundraising mission amongst friends, colleagues, and clients. To have raised more than £5,000 is really humbling.”

Fiona Gavaghan, Macmillan fundraising manager, said: “We are so thrilled and humbled that Adam decided to fundraise for us after his diagnosis and treatment, which we are, of course, delighted to hear Adam has made a full recovery.

Our wonderful Macmillan professionals are working hard to give the best possible to care to people living with cancer, and it is great to hear Adam had such a positive experience. It’s thanks to fundraisers like Adam that we can continue to be there for people living with and affected by cancer.”

To donate, volunteer or raise money call 0300 100 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk