"Paul you have breast cancer." Imagine what its like to hear that?

Hello, my name is Paul Steele.

Like other people, I thought of breast cancer as a disease that only affects women. I was wrong. And not even close!

The hardest part wasn't even the diagnosis - it was the isolation and embarrassment that came after.

During treatment I attended numerous appointments and sessions. I was in awe of the many brave and couragous women I met there. The thing is though, I never once spoke to anyone like me - a man - with breast cancer.

I received top-notch NHS care at each stage of my treatment (eternal thanks, folks) but there were no other men, even by phone, with experience of a MBC diagnosis to talk to about the challenges that Iay ahead.

I felt incredibly alone.

So, when I got better, and to aid my recovery, I decided that I would support men diagnosed with breast cancer.

400 men in the UK are diagnosed each year, surely there'd be one or two that would benefit from emotional support from someone thats "been there"

I know I would've.

That's why I am launching a dedicated emotional support service specifically for men diagnosed with breast cancer in Scotland.

It'll be a peer-led voluntary support line - a place where men can talk to someone who has been through the same thing.

Where Your Donation Goes

I am setting this service up from scratch, as a non-profit voluntary initiative. To make this a reality, I need to raise funds for essential start-up costs.

Every penny raised will go directly towards the following:

Information Leaflets: Getting leaflets into every cancer centre and breast cancer clinic in Scotland is a priority - so men know immediately that support is available.

Phone Line: Setting up a dedicated support phone line, manned by someone who has been there.

Website Development: Maintaining a central hub for service information and contact details.

Admin & Setup Costs: covering the basics to get operationally up and running.

How You Can Help

If you can spare the cost of a coffee, please consider donating to help me help others. If you can't donate, thats not a problem, please help by sharing this fundraiser.

It'd be great to know that in Scotland, for the time being at least, no man has to fight a breast cancer diagnosis alone.

Please help me make it a reality. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support.

Paul