Peter reaches for the sky

My dad my best friend and my hero.

On the 26th July 2026 midday my dad Peter Firth age 79 will be parachuting to raise money.

He is raising money for the following 3 -Magnolia centre York hospital

Breast friend’s support group

St Catherine’s in Scarborough.

Here’s his story behind the jump and raising money for three great charities.

This is my dads story

It all Started 8 years ago 2017 Sept.

I came home from work and my dad had his top off showing me a rash under his armpit.

I noticed as he showed me that is left nipple was inverted and a slight lump above in the breast.

I asked how long his nipple had been like that and he said since January on and off.

I pull and it comes out sometimes and the lump above he hadn’t noticed that.

I have seen this before on poster and adverts, heard from health professional in the line of work I had previously done so breast cancer did come to mind.

I told my dad I didn’t want to scare him but with his age, clear symptoms and he had been slightly tired than normal that it may be a cancer lump and to get it checked asap.

I rang the GP spoke with receptionist after requesting an appt urgent. She basically told me off for scaring my dad and that it probably wasn’t because men don’t get it.

We saw the doctor that day Monday and he confirmed my thoughts.

We were given an urgent appt in York on the Wednesday at the breast clinic magnolia centre.

Peter had a biopsy and a mamagram we spent four hours at the clinic and met with the team.

We were given a follow up appt on the following Monday.

Monday we arrived in York at the clinic and sadly our worst had been confirmed, Stage 2 Breast cancer.

My dad just sat and said will I die then which the consultant replied I hope not Peter.

Do what you need to do and let’s get this gone.

We drove back to Brid quiet but I think with my dad and positive look we knew we had a good start but a battle ahead.

October 2017 he had his operation.

He had never had anything wrong in the past with health not a smoker or a drinker never taken drugs his only killer was he loved sweets and cakes.

He was so brave going in on his own as myself and my 2 brothers waited.

He came too very out of it but within a few hours was with it.

With his age and blood pressure being high they kept him in for the night and we collected him the next day.

He had a drain fitted to remove the blood and fluid.

The time we got back to Brid the drain and fallen out.

Luck had it we rang Scarborough and I took him back, it was the pump it had failed so they attached a new one.

Few trips back and forth and another operation as it had got infected and he was on the journey to the start of his chemotherapy treatment.

6 lots scheduled every three weeks at Scarborough hospital.

He took it in his stride he was so brave.

He never stopped and still cared for my mum.

His hair started to fall out at the Christmas and me dad being Pete he took a scrubber to the bath and scrubbed it all off.

He had a rest at one point as he wasn’t taking it to well and kept having water infections turned out he had diabetes undiagnosed.

Last treatment done he started his radiotherapy in castle hill hospital.

Not very smooth as the machines kept breaking or not enough staff or they couldn’t get the point right as where his breast had been removed was very close to his heart.

He had treatment every day for 3 weeks

He took his brother, friends or myself with him.

He rang the bell 22 June 2018

I was with him I was and still so very proud.

My dad is my world my rock and myself and my kids wouldn’t manage with out him. My best friend support and my dad the best in the world.

If I had never seen his rash that day or looked at his breast he probably wouldn’t be here now.

8 years later and still he fighting.

He has had a new knee and soldiers on

He did sell his boat and his business but it was time to retire.

Sadly again it happened Cancer was back.

In 2023 Jan usually check up the worst news it’s was back a new breast cancer in the right breast.

Only pea size but enough to be Cancer.

29th Feb 2023 operation in York and had it removed.

Luckily no treatment this time as early detection helped.

Due to no research into secondary cancer for male breast cancer it’s difficult to give information to my dad.

They have changed his medication as the one he had only works for 7 years and the new must be started as is normally the treatment for a women.

He is a guinea pig basically daily meds and a monthly injection.

Double mastectomy, 2 separate breast cancers and a survivor.

I wanted to create awareness for my dad surviving it twice and to help get men checked.

Also wanted to share how brave and proud I am of him.

He recently he bought a yacht and that being his new passion sailing everyday.

I have attached a photo of him ringing the bell.