Dad given rare cancer diagnosis taking on 50 Miles Challenge for Maggie's

Lee Crompton (47) underwent an operation at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, to remove what he thought was an innocuous lump from his neck earlier this year.

However, the father-of-two, who is also a screenwriter, novelist and filmmaker, was dealt the devastating blow he had stage four anaplastic thyroid cancer.

The diagnosis of the rare and aggressive disease meant the former Polmont resident was back in hospital four days later to have his thyroid and surrounding tissue removed and has subsequently undergone radioactive iodine treatment.

He has since been told the next six to nine months will be crucial.

For now, he’s trying to remain as upbeat as he possibly can because, in Mr Crompton’s own words, “doctors and fate will do the rest”.

To help him focus on the here and now, Mr Crompton has signed up for Maggie’s 50 Miles Challenge fundraiser in January to give back to a charity which has been of vital importance.

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Having written four books – Return of the Living Neds, Digging Deeper, Worlds Apart and 12 Months – he has vowed to go the distance in the next chapter of his life to display his gratitude to the Maggie’s Forth Valley cancer support service.

Mr Crompton, who runs the Lomond Films video production company, will pound the paths for a month to generate money for the Larbert facility.

As an extra source of motivation, the Stirlingshire man will push his baby daughter, Erin, along in her pram as he clocks up the miles.

He said: “It’ll be a positive but emotional challenge as January will see me pass the date of the average life expectancy – four months – since my diagnosis in September and baby Erin’s first birthday.

“There was a time when I didn’t know whether I’d still be here to see it. Hopefully, I still will.

“Maggie’s have been truly amazing during this very difficult time.

“Their support and kindness has been a huge source of strength and they have helped me and my family emotionally and mentally and I've also attended nutrition classes, had help with financial matters, getting wills sorted and the like.

“And above all, it feels like a safe, calming and friendly space. The staff have been exceptional.

“I’d like to thank every member of staff I’ve encountered in Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow and the Maggie’s centre who have just been superb.

“Even during a global pandemic, they’ve pulled out all the stops and I’ve been humbled by the levels of skill, care and compassion I’ve witnessed in the last few weeks. The NHS is a credit to this country.”

Mr Crompton will be joined virtually by friends Matt Allen and Claire Quinn during his fundraiser.

He added: “I’d urge anyone to sign up, give it a go and put a positive step forward in 2021.”

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