FRIENDS of an inspirational Wirral kickboxing champion battling a brain tumour are one step closer to giving him the holiday of a lifetime.

Dave Bolton, from Saughall Massie, was diagnosed with an astrocytoma grade two tumour last May and underwent emergency surgery to remove it.

The 34-year-old embarked on a voyage of health, fitness, western medicine, alternative therapies, surgery and self-discovery to try and fight his cancer.

But in July, father-of-two Dave was given the worst news possible that his grade two tumour had in fact changed into a grade four Glioblastoma.

He was given just three months to live without treatment and has just started six months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to try and give the final blow to Terry – the name given to Dave’s tumour.

His friends have since embarked on a number of fundraising drives, aimed at raising awareness of Dave’s plight and raising enough money to send his family on a life-changing holiday once his treatment has finished.

Last month, Stu Vance and Chris Thomas from Underground Training Station in Hoylake raised close to £12,000 for the holiday fund through their Pull Ups to Paris campaign.

The challenge saw the duo drive to Paris and back in 24 hours, carrying out 20 pull ups and press ups at each service station and landmark on the way.

Fundraising has since carried on, with Marie Johns, from Rock Ferry, saying farewell to her hair in order to show her support.

Wirral Globe:
Marie Johns says goodbye to her hair with help from Doreen Nye.

District nurse Marie said: “I work with Dave’s with Samantha. It’s absolutely heartbreaking what’s happening. It makes you realise how short life is and how lucky I am.

“We’re trying to raise enough money to send Dave and his family on a holiday once his treatment finishes and I just decided to shave my head to do my bit.”

The shave took place at Sunsational Hair and Beauty on Old Chester Road on Friday morning.

“It was a bit of a shock. I’ve got really thick hair and now it’s down to a number one. People keep telling me it suits me though so that’s good,” said 46-year-old Marie, who has so far raised more than £850 for the fund.

Money raised will also help to pay for additional treatments, supplements and the financial burden that cancer brings.

“I don’t fear cancer, my brain tumour, I don’t fear this journey I must walk – I embrace it,” said Dave.

“It will make me stronger and wiser. I have become richer through the new, old and renewed friendships this journey has thrust upon me and the situation I now find myself in.

“I will do and experience things that I would never have done before my diagnosis and my journey started.

“I will live my life to the most I possibly can, with the people I love and respect the most. I will succeed for I do not fear death anymore – I may have cancer but it doesn’t have to have me.”

Dave is no stranger to beating the odds.

In 2004 he was told he would never walk again after a near fatal motorbike accident with a lorry.

He not only walked again, but gained his kickboxing title in 2009 and is a local inspiration to many.

  • To show your support for Dave, find out more or buy a wristband, visit journey4survival.co.uk or search for Pull Ups to Paris on Facebook.