Portsmouth woman calls for others to back Stand Up To Cancer following dad's diagnosisÂ

Simon Mayne and his daughter Katie have helped launch the fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 after Simon was diagnosed with the disease in March.

The father-of-four was told he may only have a year to live due to having stage 4 glioblastoma.

Simon, 57, had gone to see his doctor after suffering a loss of peripheral vision and recurring headaches.

Following his diagnosis, he underwent surgery and is having ongoing cycles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Now, the family of Simon, from Ryde, have thrown their weight behind the Stand Up To Cancer campaign '“ determined to raise awareness of the need for vital research into the disease.

Katie, from Portsmouth, said: '˜I will always remember the day my parents came back from seeing dad's consultant at the hospital in Southampton.

'˜Mum said 'dad's very unwell - he might only have 12 months to live.'

'˜I remember feeling sick in my stomach and feeling very anxious. It was like an out of body experience and the next few days that passed were just on autopilot '“ I was numb.

'˜Dad was very calm - he's that kind of man; very pragmatic. He was determined we could fight this and we would find a way.'

Katie, 34, said her father's prognosis has had a devastating impact on the whole family including her sisters Victoria, 37, Harriet, 30, and brother Simon, 33.

The trainee midwife added: '˜Mum and dad have brought the four of us up very well. 

'˜We all call him 'Rescue One' '“ that's his nickname because we have grown up knowing that wherever we are in the world, whatever trouble we might find ourselves in, he would come to our rescue.

'˜Now it's the other way around and he is the one who needs saving.'

Stand Up to Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities including Davina McCall, Edith Bowman, Alan Carr, Joel Dommett and Kirsty Allsopp.

There will be a night of live television on Channel 4 on October 26.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: '˜By supporting Stand Up To Cancer people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

'˜The more people that join the fight now, the sooner we can beat cancer for everyone.'