A TIMPERLEY grandfather and cancer survivor walked all over the disease by taking part in Cancer's Research's March On Cancer, on Saturday, October 10.

As well as taking part in the march itself, 64-year-old Tommy Stott, also publicly thanked Cancer Research UK supporters who helped save his life.

In August 2013, Tommy went out for a family meal and noticed that he was having trouble swallowing food.

The following week, he tried to eat some breakfast and found the only way he was able to swallow his scrambled eggs and tomatoes was to wash them down with a drink.

His difficulties swallowing food continued, so his wife Yvonne encouraged him to see his GP.

He was quickly referred to Trafford General Hospital, where doctors discovered he had one large tumour and four other very small ones.

Tommy was then referred to the Christie Hospital for chemotherapy treatment on his oesophageal cancer, which began on December 28 and lasted for nine weeks.

“The chemotherapy treatment was horrendous, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But I was extremely positive throughout and just knew that I had to do this to beat the cancer," said Tommy.

On April 4, 2014, Tommy had the remaining tumour removed from his oesophagus removed at the Royal Manchester Infirmary.

As part of the operation, Tommy’s ribs had to be split in two and his right lung had to be deflated.

Tommy said:“ When the surgeon came to see me just after my operation he said that if I’d had this cancer five years ago I wouldn’t have survived.

"He told me that because of the work of Cancer Research UK, they now had the knowledge to keep me alive.”

Tommy completed a further course of chemotherapy treatment 10 weeks ago is now building himself back up to full health.

Since being diagnosed with the disease, the former chef has been raising money for Cancer Research UK.

In May this year he took part in the Manchester 10K – too ill to run, he was pushed round in his wheelchair and raised almost £1,000 for the charity.

The Manchester March On Cancer was one of 15 marches which took place simultaneously across the UK as part of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Stand Up To Cancer took place for the first time in the UK in 2012 and raised more than £8 million for ground-breaking research.

For more information visit www.standup2cancer.org