THE inspirational founder of a Wirral cancer charity has won a major award in recognition of "incredible" work in the local community.
Dave Bolton was presented with his Special Achievement award from the National Lottery by actor, presenter and '80s pop icon, Martin Kemp, during a visit to the Ahead of the Game Foundation, of which Dave is the founder, on Wednesday (December 20).
The Wallasey-based centre provides workshops, coffee mornings, support and counselling for those people who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families.
After being presented with his award, Dave told the Globe: It's a huge day. To have Martin Kemp here, presenting me with an award from the National Lottery is something I never expected in my wildest dreams.
"I don't do what I do for recognition or awards, but what this accolade means is that what I am doing is making a mark and is being recognised.
"I'm also leaving a bit of a legacy on helping those within our communities that have been diagnosed with cancer by providing free rehabilitation whilst providing amazing support for families and friends."
Dave certainly has a lot to be thankful for.
Diagnosed with an incurable stage four glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in July 2015, he was given three to eight months to live and advised by doctors to put his affairs in order.
Dave, 43, from Greasby, endured two major brain surgeries and months of aggressive chemo and radiotherapy, while suffering with seizures, a medial steroid-induced psychological breakdown and a skin cancer diagnosis.
He also lost his mum to cancer during this time, his wife had a miscarriage and he had to retire from his much-loved career in the police force.
Instead of feeling helpless, Dave focused on what lifestyle choices he could make to improve his chances, such as diet and exercise.
He is now in the top two per cent of survivors of this cancer, having lived with terminal cancer for nine years.
Dave hasn't stopped there, however.
The dad-of-two joined forces with former Liverpool footballer Dominic Matteo to found Ahead of the Game Foundation two years ago, in order to boost the quality of life for anyone with a post-cancer diagnosis.
Since it was established, Ahead of the Game has received £10,000 in grants from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The air force veteran is now a fully trained cancer rehabilitation specialist coach and provides inspiration and practical services to others embarking on the same frightening journey.
The National Lottery Awards are the annual celebration of the ordinary individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.
This year, 3,780 people and projects were nominated for the work they have carried out with support from The National Lottery.
Over the summer, a panel made up of representatives from The National Lottery and partners will decide the winners in each of the individual categories.
Looking back on the last eight years said: "In 2015, I was given a diagnosis of three months to live, or six months with treatment, with the world's deadliest cancer.
"Being told that you've got three months to live is something you never think is going to happen to you - happens in movies, happens on TV - and I never would have thought I would be here now, among the two per cent in the world that survive this tumour.
"I wouldn't have been able to do this and achieve what I have done without the incredible support of my family."
"I found, when I came out the other side, having been fixed physically in the hospital when they had taken the tumour out, there was a big hole in my life and things that I needed.
"I needed help - mentally, physically and even financially it took a toll on me.
"So, I understand why Dave has set this up for other people, because we're all the same."
The former Spandau Ballet band member and Eastenders actor, continued: "How you cope with the situation is down to you.
"I was talking with Dave about the fact that the toll it takes on your family, is far worse than it takes on you; it's quite easy to sit down on the sofa and just dwell on it.
"It was Dave's wife who pulled him off the sofa and got him running and back up, fighting it. It was the same for me. It was my wife that made me get off the sofa and said 'you've got to fix yourself'.
"The Ahead of the Game centre is a real family place. When I was coming here today I thought it would be like a hospital, but it's nothing like that. Some parts of it feel like a dojo, a gym and a spa. I love that.
"It feels like, if you were going through a recovery period from brain cancer and were looking for an escape, it feels like a place you could come to and forget about it for a while.
"Dave's doing an amazing job. It's really easy when you've been through this sort of thing to just try to move on and forget about it.
"Dave is not forgetting about it and is doing so in order to help other people in his situation.
"For that reason, he deserves the special recognition award."
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