Sisters step up to a challenge to thank cancer centre that cared for their dad

Sisters have followed in their late father’s footsteps as a tribute to his memory and his love of charity fundraising.

David Catley was a patient in the Chemotherapy Day Unit, part of the South West Wales Cancer Centre in Singleton Hospital, for two years.

The retired Royal Mail transport manager died in August last year at the age of 74. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer but fought right up until the end.

Main pic, left to right: Sisters Clare Hanley and Alison Davies, their stepmother Carol Catley and CDU manager Sue Rowland.

His family described him as a character who would do anything for charity. Now his two daughters have continued the tradition by fundraising for the Chemotherapy Day Unit, or CDU.

Alison Davies and Clare Hanley each walked 300,000 steps in one month, raising £1,400 which they have now presented to CDU staff.

Their stepmother, David’s widow Carol Catley, said: “David was as fit as a fiddle. You wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with him.

“He fought it in every way. He never refused any treatment. It was only towards the end, the last six weeks of his life, that he was quite ill.

“Other than that, he persevered with all the treatments they were willing to give him.

“Everyone here was wonderful. Nothing was too much trouble. Everybody was always at hand when I would panic if it was something I hadn’t had to deal with before. Same with the girls. You worry about it.

“But they were always there for us. They always had someone at the end of the phone. I thought they were absolutely fantastic.”

Carol described David (left) as a character who had a great rapport with the CDU staff. He would, also, she said, do anything for charity.

“He used to have a beard years ago and he shaved half of that off” she said. “He had all his hair shaved off. He looked like PC Plod because he ended up with a lump on his head that he didn’t know he had.

“He did so much for charity. He was an all-round great guy.”

The South West Wales Cancer Centre, SWWCC, is run by Swansea Bay University Health Board and provides a range of lifesaving NHS treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

It celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and a fundraising appeal has been launched by Swansea Bay Health Charity, the health board’s official charity, to commemorate the landmark.

The appeal, Going the Extra Mile for Cancer, will support the thousands of patients from the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda areas who are cared for there every year, as well as relatives and staff.

David’s daughters Alison and Clare have done more than their bit for charity by clocking up 600,000 steps between them in just one month.

“We went on walks, before and after work and during our lunchtimes,” said Alison. “I’ve no idea how many miles we covered but if felt like a lot!

“We had sponsorship from family and friends. We originally aimed to raise £500, and we ended up with nearly three times that. It was incredible.”

And the sisters say they hope to raise more funds in future for the CDU, describing it as an amazing place.

“I’m sure my dad loved going there,” said Alison. “Not for the treatment, but for the company, with everybody going through the same thing. He loved all the banter. He was a wind-up and he had it back.”

Follow this link if you want to support the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer appeal.

And follow this link to find out more about Going the Extra Mile for Cancer.