TERMINALLY ill cancer patient Michael Pope is organising a 70th birthday celebration with a difference at Spencer Sport and Social Club in Melksham on Saturday (July 11).

Mr Pope, who turned 70 last Saturday (July 4), was initially diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2009 before being given the all clear following an operation, but 18 months ago he was told the cancer had returned and was terminal.

He was given 12 months to live without chemotherapy and 18 months with treatment and decided that he wanted to do give something back to the Oncology department at the Royal United Hospital for the support he has received.

Mr Pope has invited more than 200 friends and family to the event on Saturday, with guests told to bring money donations for the RUH’s positron scanner appeal rather than gifts or birthday cards.

“I had the idea to do something last year as I wanted to do something to give something back to the Oncology department as they are trying to raise £1.2m for the Positron Scanner Appeal,” said Mr Pope, who lives with his wife Marian in Melksham.

“Cancer affects so many people and several of our friends have also passed away with cancer since I was diagnosed. When I go to the Oncology ward it is clear that age doesn’t matter as there are youngsters who have barley lived in there.

“I don’t want any presents or cards, just donations towards the appeal. I’m using my birthday to get everyone together and the invitations also say that there will be raffle with lots of prizes.

“I was told that I had 12 months to live without chemotherapy and 18 months with chemotherapy and I have tried to make the most of the time I had left as life is too short.”

The Bath Cancer Unit Support Group set out to raise £1.2m for the Positron Scanner, which will transform the treatment of certain cancers at the RUH, with the total already surpassing £1m.

Mr Pope, who worked at Avon Rubber for 44 years and as a retained firefighter for 21 years, said he was grateful to local businesses for supporting the raffle, with ASDA and Whitehall Garden Centre among the companies that have donated prizes.

He added: “It should be a great event and I have lots of former firefighter colleagues coming, some who I haven’t seen for at least 25 years. There will also be a bouncy castle for children.

“We have never done anything like this before, so I’ve not necessarily got a fundraising target in mind, but we have already raised a few hundred through donations already.”