'Dad's first thought was looking after all of us and making sure we were alright

A NORTHUMBERLAND man who lost his father to cancer has decided to commemorate him by running 12 marathons across 12 months.

- EMILY GRAY Reporter [e-mail]

Harry Mitchell, 29, from Wylam, has set himself an epic challenge remembering the "kindest and friendliest person I've ever met," his dad, Ian.

Ian Mitchell was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2023 after noticing sudden weight loss and difficulties swallowing.

The family - who had already received the devastating news that Harry's mother, Linda Mitchell, was diagnosed with rare cancer Pseudo-myxoma Peritonei earlier in April that year, were left utterly shock by the discovery.

Ian had been the family’s rock throughout Linda’s illness, travelling with her to a specialist facility in Basingstoke for treatment. So the sudden news of Ian’s own terminal diagnosis turned their world upside down.

"It got to the point where we were scared to answer the phone. It was just bad news after bad news," Harry said.

"But straightaway, dad's first thought was looking after all of us and making sure we were alright."

Despite being told he would have between 12 and 18 months to live, Ian was given the option to take an aggressive form of chemotherapy to potentially extend his life but opted out, instead wishing to enjoy spending time with his family more peacefully.

At the time, Harry's sister Charlotte, who was pregnant with her second child and engaged, decided to bring her wedding forward so they could celebrate as a family.

Harry said: “There was one weekend he was well enough to go, the weekend the wedding fell.”