OLDHAM star Nick Grimshaw has spoken of the heartbreak he and his family suffered after his dad died from cancer as part of a campaign.
The former BBC Radio 1 DJ, who stepped down from the station after 14 years last month, lost his dad Peter to bladder cancer in 2016.
The former Our Lady's Roman Catholic High School pupil is teaming up with fellow celebrities Adam Hills, Charlene White, Joel Dommett, Robert Rinder, Ade Adepitan and Gizzi Erskine as part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign in October.
In a moving film, they speak candidly about the impact cancer has had on their lives, revealing personal stories of close friends and family that have been affected.
Spurred on by their experiences, they are calling on everyone to make a stand against the disease by raising money to accelerate life-saving research.
Fundraising ideas include getting sponsored to stand up all day, or for as long as people can, on Friday, October 15.
Or supporters can choose how and when they take on the standing up challenge.
AWARENESS: Nick Grimshaw
DJ: Nick Grimshaw (Picture: PA)
STUDIO: Nick in the BBC Radio 1 hotseat
Nick, 37, said: “I’m standing up to cancer because it’s something that’s very close to me and to my family.
"Losing my dad was incredibly painful and I want to be part of the fight to beat this disease.
"Researchers are leading the way, constantly developing new ways to beat cancer, but they can’t do this vital work without our support.
"By standing up together, we can all make a real difference in this fight.”
Stand Up To Cancer is now in its ninth year in the UK and has raised more than £84m, funding 59 clinical trials and projects involving over 19,000 cancer patients across the country.
The joint fundraising campaign is being run by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
In the north west, around 42,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the north west, Jane Bullock, said: “All of the celebrities involved in the campaign have seen the devastating impact that cancer can have on loved ones and we’re grateful to them for sharing their personal experiences to help inspire others.
“One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can play a part in helping to beat it.
"That’s why we’re asking everyone to Stand Up To Cancer, by standing up on Friday October 15.
"It’s as simple as that.
"Whether people stand for the whole day or a few hours – on one leg, two legs, on their head, with a walking stick or do a wheelie every half an hour – whatever the challenge, all money raised in sponsorship will help to speed up progress in vital research.
"If we all stand together, we can save lives.”
Research projects funded by Stand Up To Cancer include the development of new treatments that use viruses to fight cancer, clinical trials testing potentially more effective ways to deliver radiotherapy and improved surgical techniques for bowel cancer.
People can sign up to stand up all day on October 15 and get a free fundraising kit at su2c.org.uk/standing-up.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here