FRIENDS of a Wirral kickboxing champion battling a brain tumour have raised close to £10,000 to give him the holiday of a lifetime after completing 20 pulls up and press ups at every service station between here and Paris.

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.

Fellow fighters from Underground Training Station in Hoylake hope to raise awareness of Dave’s plight and raise enough money to send his family on a life-changing holiday once his treatment has finished.

Led by Stu Vance and Chris Thomas, the Pull Ups to Paris campaign, 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.

Wirral Globe:
Chris Thomas and Stu Vance took part in the Pull Ups to Paris campaign on Sunday.

Stu said: “He is not alone in this next chapter, for we are forever in his wings.”

The challenge - which took place on Sunday- also helped to raise money 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 about the Pull Ups to Paris challenge or buy a wristband, visit journey4survival.co.uk or search for Pull Ups to Paris on Facebook.