Fundraiser for dad with incurable cancer
A fundraiser has been launched on behalf of a hard-working dad-of-one who has an incurable aggressive Germ cell cancer.
Friends and family of Shaun O’Hara, 35, from Ayr, hope to raise as much money as they can to adapt Shaun’s home fit for wheelchair access.
Steel-erector Shaun, who was diagnosed in September last year after suffering severe back pain for over a year, has been advised to use a wheelchair but can use crutches in the house and for short distances to get in and out of the car.
After frequent visits to his GP, the Rangers daft dad – who has been married to childhood sweetheart Ainsley, 33, for 12 years, and is father to 10-year-old Riley- had an X-ray which flagged a fractured spine.
The diagnosis revealed the devastating extent of the disease, showing an aggressive tumour was surrounding his spine and causing spinal cord compression.
Sister-in-law Lynne Murphy, 43, of Dalmellington, told the Post:“It’s been really tough on them.
“Especially with this last year and the pandemic as they’ve had to create their own bubble so Shaun and Ainsley have barely seen anyone for moral support.”
Shaun has since undergone chemotherapy, of which many weeks were spent himself due to lockdown restrictions banning visitors.
The family are hoping the fundraiser, set up by Natalie Fisher, Yvonne Hose and Syvia Hewitson, can help with costs to modify the O’Haras’home to be suitable for Shaun’s care.
Lynne said:“It’s their own home which they have bought so it’s not council owned.
“They can apply for grants to help with converting the bathroom into a wet room but they only cover so much.
“They’re settled in their home and Riley is settled at school with his friends nearby so it wouldn’t be fair on them to have to move.
Natalie, Sylvia and Yvonne, along with Riley, Lynne’s son Dylan, 13, and husband Kevin, 42, are gearing up to complete an 80- mile cycle throughout June to help with fundraising.
You can donate at www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-shaun-and-his-family