Charity helps dying man achieve dreams

William Shawcross has an inoperable brain tumour

In a few weeks Jennifer Shawcross will have her RAF passing out parade, the culmination of weeks of hard work and effort.

Her father William, 42, has a terminal brain tumour, but he will be able to be at his daughter's special day thanks to a special cancer charity grant.

William is no longer working, so the family were worried that they would not be able to afford the overnight trip to Buckinghamshire.

Billy is hopeful of making the passing out parade, but because it has been put back we have just got to hope

Marie Shawcross

His wife Marie, of Bolton, said the grant, from Macmillan Cancer Relief , had made the family get-together viable.

"I am eternally grateful to Macmillan," she said.

The parade had been planned for the beginning of November, but Jennifer injured herself and it had to be delayed.

Marie explained that although the family no longer make long-term plans, William is hopeful of being well enough to make the parade.

"We are hoping that Jennifer is going to join her new group at the end of the week," she said.

"Billy is hopeful of making the passing out parade, but because it has been put back we have just got to hope."

Holiday

She said that Macmillan had also financed a last holiday for herself and Billy, Jennifer and their 13-year-old son Ben, at Butlin's, in Minehead.

"We had already booked the holiday, but then Billy was diagnosed in March and we thought we wouldn't be able to go.

"We thought it would be the last family holiday."

She said that William is now losing his short-term memory and has lost the sight in one eye.

"It is very draining for Billy when he does anything.

"Billy now sleeps 19-20 hours a day. He is very forgetful and his short-term memory is going, but his long term memory is very good."

She said the family would cherish their memories of their last holiday to Minehead, but that sadly the holiday snaps had been lost in the post.

Luxuries

Macmillan community nurse Sue McKenzie, who arranged the Shawcross' grants, said the money was designed to provide luxuries for families.

"The money is means-tested. Over the years we have used the money to buy a recliner chair, cordless phones and holidays," she said.

"In Billy's case it was very important to his quality of life to see his daughter's parade.

"It is lovely. It is a family occasion, a very special occasion.

"Their holiday had been planned for nine months and it was something they truly wanted to achieve.

"Doing something like this is my reward as a Macmillan nurse. You can help people to get on and enjoy family things together.

"But grants like this are all thanks to the people who put money in the collection boxes and make donations," she said.