Syd is an inspirational father, cancer survivor, and a gentle soul who now urgently needs prostate surgery in Thailand.

In 2012, Syd’s world was turned upside down when he found out he had cancer. He was living with his wife in Laos at the time and returned to Blackpool, UK with his wife and two young children. He then recieved the diagnosis that he had stage 4 mouth cancer. Doctors gave him just six months to live.

Around the same time, he lost his mum and then his wife left him, leaving him to raise his two sons on his own. Against all odds, through determination, grit, and a raw fruit-only diet, Syd fought his way back to health and was declared cancer-free in 2017.

In 2020, with his youngest son Jo, he moved to Thailand for a simpler life. He now spends his days writing, caring for his son who is now 16, feeding stray dogs, and even helping rescue dogs find new homes, including one he personally helped rehome to the UK.

Syd's nickname 'Psycho Syd' started as the only hippy on a rough Mancunian council estate. His skinhead mates nicknamed him 'Psychedelic Syd', soon shortened to 'Psycho Syd'. Still a hippy at heart, Psycho Syd is a kind, gentle, and big-hearted sofite.

Syd is now facing another battle. He has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, causing agonising urine retention. Twice he has been rushed to A&E and fitted with a catheter. Each time it has been removed, the pain has returned almost instantly. Syd had hoped to be able to treat his condition naturally, but doctors have said he needs urgent surgery.

Syd needs to get to the mainland for tests and surgery. The estimated cost, including tests, is around £2,000, a huge sum for Syd, who lives frugally on his UK state pension and a simple vegan diet.

Syd doesn’t ask for much. What he wants most is to stay healthy so he can continue caring for his son Jo for whom he is the sole carer and their beloved rescue dog, Elfie.

Please, if you can, help Syd get the treatment he desperately needs. Your support will make a real difference in giving this special man the chance to keep living the simple, loving life he has fought so hard for.

(Syd has told his story of living in the Tropics and his battle with cancer in his book The Death and Life of Psycho Syd – Part One.)

Update - 02.11.25

Since I launched the fundraiser, Syd has been through a bit of a rollercoaster, spending hours travelling to various hospitals in Thailand. He has made 8 trips to Lanta Noi hospital, a journey to the public hospital in Trang and another journey to the public hospital in Krabi. An ultrasound at Thonburi Hospital on Lanta before travelling to Thonburi Hospital in Trang to meet a urologist. Finally a long journey to Hat Yai to meet the surgeon and get an MRI.

Thank you to those that have donated. So far the costs are totalling £1000, including £400 for an MRI scan. A further £1000 is needed to cover the hospital and doctor fees (Syd needs to stay in for at least 3 nights), transport costs and medication for his surgery on 9th November.

Update: 03.11.25

Sadly, Syd has had another set back. His surgery was due to happen on Sunday 9th but the surgeon has sadly informed Syd that his prostate weighs 127 grams, which makes the surgery a bigger operation than initally expected. A normal adult prostate typically weighs between 20 and 25 grams. 127 grams is considered very large and is indicative of severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate. A prostate of this size can cause significant lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) because it severely compresses the urethra, the tube through which urine flows. This explains why he had been in such agony and why he is currently living with a catheter. If left untreated, a prostate of this size can lead to serious complications, including kidney disease.

Unfortunately, because the prostate is largely than initally thought, the hospital will charge more for the operation and the fundrasiing target has had to be increased to £3200. I have discovered the GoFundMe fees are 2.9% plus 25 per donation so we've had to account for this and make sure Syd actually has the full funds he needs to pay the hospital.

To all that have donated, thank you. Anyone new reading this, please know that every penny literally does count and will help Syd get the relief he needs and ensure he can continue providing a home for his teenage son and gorgeous rescue dog.

He is now booked in for Sunday 16th but we need to have reached the £3200 goal for this to go ahead.