Jez marks his recovery with tattoo fundraiser

An Ashford dad has launched an ink-spiring fundraiser to thank the Pilgrims Hospice for saving his life.

Jez Double, 42, is battling cancer for the second time but says a 10-day respite stay at the Ashford hospice brought him back from the brink.

The dad-of-one, of Bowens Field, was first diagnosed with melanoma cancer in March 2015.

He had two operations to remove lymph nodes from under his arm, four weeks of radiotherapy and was declared cancer free.

But he was told the cancer had returned earlier this year.

He said: “I had really bad time about a month ago, where I fell really ill.

“I had radiotherapy but it made me really unwell for a couple of weeks.

“I was taken to the Pilgrims Hospice and people didn’t think I was going to come back, I was in a really bad way.

“I couldn’t stop vomiting, I lost two stone in two weeks.

“But in 10 days, with pain relief and their amazing care, I was able to go home.

“The staff were mind-blowingly good and I would not be here now if it wasn’t the for the amazing people at that amazing place.”

To say thank you, Mr Double has teamed up with friend, and local artist Tom Rosewell, of Figjam Tattoo Studio, in Beaver Road, to offer residents the chance to win a full day’sworth of tattooing.

Tickets are available from Jez Double, who is fundraising for Pilgrims Hospice, with son Josh and inset, tattoo artist Tom Rosewell £10 and the lucky winner will be drawn from a hat on Christmas Day, ready to set a date for their tattoo in the new year.

Mr Double added: “If people aren’t into inking, then please do donate to this great cause anyway, they saved my life.”

To enter the prize draw or simply support Mr Double visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jez-Double7