Cancer diagnosis spurs musical fundraising drive

When Dave Markham was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer it came as a huge shock to the 56-year-old, who had always been fit and healthy.

But Dave, a former marathon and fell runner who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, has turned his situation around thanks to the positive attitude that he says has taken him through his whole life.

The dad-of-three from Stannington is now teaming up with a friend for a series of music concerts in Sheffield throughout the year to raise vital funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity – which supports the work of Weston Park Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

Dave, who has been married for 27 years, said: “Being diagnosed with cancer was a massive shock, particularly as I’d always been healthy and active."

“But once I’d had time to get my head around it, I started to look at it more positively. In the grand scheme of things, life is too short to dwell on situations like this. My attitude to life has very much always been ‘look forward and tomorrow will be better’.”

Pictured: Mike and Dave are fundraising for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity

Dave was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 at The Hallamshire Hospital and had a radical prostatectomy – an operation to remove the prostate gland – in the hope that the cancer would be cleared from his body. However, soon after his surgery, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes outside the prostate.

He then underwent a course of radiotherapy at Weston Park Hospital in an attempt to stop the cancer from spreading further. He now attends the hospital every three months for injections to control the cancer, as well as taking daily drugs to keep symptoms at bay.

Dave, who retired from his role as head teacher at Greystones Primary School in Sheffield after his diagnosis, is now committed to fundraising for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, by playing gigs with friend Mike Lydiat, from Hunters Bar, and their band TOFFEE, or ‘Two Old Fellas For Evening Entertainment’.

The duo, who have been friends for more than 20 years, will be performing monthly at the Shakespeare Pub on Gibraltar Street in Sheffield where they will be also be collecting for the charity.  They also play at care centres and donate any fee paid to the charity.

Dave and Mike, also a former head teacher who taught in Sheffield and Derbyshire, have around 100 years musical experience behind them and play music from the traditions of Music Hall, Vaudeville, or comedy songs, and Standards from the 20s, 30s and 40s, including My Funny Valentine.

Dave said: “Weston Park Hospital really is a beacon in Sheffield. The whole team there has been fabulous and incredibly kind at a time when I felt down after my diagnosis.

“Spending time at the hospital is a very humbling experience and, with fundraising, there will be help for others living with cancer now or those who may be diagnosed in the future."

“Music has always been a hobby of mine but now it’s a kind of therapy. Hopefully by playing our fundraising gigs we can not only entertain people but raise some money for a fantastic cause.”

Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity needs to raise £1.3 million every year to support the work of Weston Park Hospital, one of just four dedicated cancer hospitals in England.

Sarah Cross, fundraiser said: “The way Dave is has taken on such a positive attitude despite his diagnosis is truly inspirational. It is fantastic that TOFFEE Music have decided to fundraise for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and we wish them the best of luck with all their performances.”

The next gig is on 12 March at the Shakespeare Pub, Gibraltar St and doors will open at 8.30pm.  The band is also available for any event. More information can be found on the TOFFEE MUSIC web site: www.docsworkshop.co.uk/toffee.html