A group of friends are rallying round to send a Spalding man with terminal cancer to see the sights of Las Vegas.
Craig Dolan (52) has been given just six months to live, and his friends are fundraising to make his remaining time as special as possible.
Top of the list are a trip to Las Vegas, a skydive and a group trip to Alton Towers.
Craig was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021. He underwent surgery and multiple rounds of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, before being given the all-clear.
Then, nine months later at a check-up scan, he was given the devastating news that the cancer had not only returned, but it had spread to his liver and lungs.
After several rounds of unsuccessful chemotherapy, in April, Craig was told there is nothing more that can be done.
Close friend Claire Taylor said: “Craig started telling his family and close friends who are naturally heartbroken.
“Craig’s friends began to share this news and comments about bucket lists were brought up.
“I was approached by Jonny Gan, who told with me he’d lost his best friend to cancer.
“He asked if there was anything Craig wanted to do as he wanted to donate some money. I thought it was such a lovely gesture and it gave my friend Dan Davis and I the idea of a Go Fund Me page.”
Dan added: “I’m not going to lie, Craig’s from Yorkshire and a very strong character. We had no idea how he would react to people donating money to him, so I was a bit scared! But when we told him, he couldn’t believe people could be so kind. He was very emotional.”
In 2014 Craig married his partner Nigel, who was sadly also diagnosed with colon cancer.
The couple lived in Spain for a number of years, where Nigel received treatment. He was given the all-clear and they moved back to Leeds where they originally met.
Unfortunately, the cancer came back and Nigel died in 2020.
Six months before, the couple homed a rescue dog called Roxy, as Nigel didn’t want Craig to be alone.
Craig is very close to his mum Pat who wanted to live closer to her brother, so they moved to Spalding in 2021.
Along with the Go Fund Me appeal, Claire and Dan also organised a barbecue for Craig’s birthday.
Claire said: “We asked Craig what he would like to do and he said as many activities with his friends as he can. He would like a group trip to Alton Towers, a skydive and days out with friends, but one thing Craig has always wanted to do is go to Las Vegas.
“We are trying to raise enough money so he can go at the beginning of July.
Craig said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, to all the people who have supported me.
“I want to do as much as I can with the people I love with the money raised and hopefully see that amazing Las Vegas strip!”
So far donations have totalled £1,190 and Claire and Dan are hoping to hit a target of £2,000. To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/rybva5-craig
