A retired prison officer has raised thousands of pounds in an event to mark the end of his cancer treatments.

Paul Niven gathered his nearest and dearest at Walney Island’s King Alfred for a get-together that raised an incredible £6,700 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

The event saw a raffle and auction plus Paul and five guests also braving a sponsored head shave.

Many local businesses donated prizes for the event’s raffle and auctionMany local businesses donated prizes for the event’s raffle and auction (Image: Rosemere Cancer Foundation) It was held the day after Paul completed six weeks of intensive, almost daily radiotherapy treatment for tonsil cancer at Rosemere Cancer Centre, South Cumbria’s and Lancashire’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Paul, who was diagnosed in June, also underwent chemotherapy there.

Proud daughter Victoria Cooksey, who along with her sisters Siobhan Atkinson and Lisa Trainor and Paul’s partner Paula helped to organise the fundraiser, said: “Dad was just incredible throughout his treatment.

“He insisted on driving himself to Preston five days a week for six weeks for his radiotherapy treatment. He didn’t want to put anyone out even though we offered. He just got on with it and never complained.”

Victoria added: “Dad has long been a regular at the King Alfred but we’re amazed at just how much we raised. We are very grateful to everyone who very generously supported the event and to all the local businesses that donated raffle and auction prizes.”

Victoria’s husband Ross was among those to brave the shave at the clippers of local barber Jack Wilkinson. The others were Paul’s friends Gary, Paul, Gaz and Neal.

Paul braves the shave as part of the fundraiserPaul braves the shave as part of the fundraiser (Image: Rosemere Cancer Foundation) Yvonne Stott, community and events fundraiser for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Our thanks to Paul, his family and friends for this wonderful donation. They have really raised an incredible amount that will be put towards project benefitting many local cancer patients. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout South Cumbria and Lancashire being treated not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre but also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including that at Furness General Hospital.

 The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk