'Incredible success' as community helps raise £2.2K for Wellingborough dad Paul King for further cancer treatment

48-year-old Paul, who worked in security at Wellingborough’s Swansgate Shopping Centre for many years, has advanced tonsil cancer.

But family and friends have been rallying round to fund specialist treatment in Germany that could help slow the progression of Paul’s cancer and improve his quality of life.

His family organised another fundraiser at the Swansgate on Saturday (September 5) and once again, the people of Wellingborough were there to support them and help them keep fighting for Paul.

Paul’s wife Melissa King said: “On Saturday, our local community came together once again and helped us raise an amazing £2,207 towards Paul’s ongoing treatment in Germany.

"I honestly cannot put into words how grateful we are.

"These fundraisers take weeks of planning, organising, collecting donations, making hampers and preparing prizes, but none of it would be possible without the incredible support we continue to receive from local people and businesses.

"I want to say a huge thank you to every person and business who donated a prize, everyone who shared our fundraiser and Paul’s story, those who donated money, bought tickets, took part in the tombolas and games, and everyone who simply stopped to speak to us and wish Paul well.

"I also want to thank everyone who gave up their own time to help us set up and run the fundraiser.

"I simply couldn’t do these events alone, and the kindness people continue to show our family means more than they probably realise.”

Melissa is so grateful for all the support they have received following Paul’s heart-breaking diagnosis.

She said: “There were moments on Saturday when I looked around at all the people supporting us and thought, all of these people are helping us keep Paul fighting.

"That is something I will never take for granted.

"Eight months on from the devastating prognosis we were given, Paul is still here and still fighting.

"He continues to travel to Germany for treatment, and every trip brings the cost of the treatment itself as well as travel, accommodation and other expenses.

"Every pound raised genuinely matters because it helps us continue accessing treatment and gives us something we desperately need — more precious time together as a family.

"When we first received Paul’s prognosis, I don’t think any of us could have imagined that eight months later he would still be here fighting or that so many people in our community would still be standing beside us.

"Saturday raised £2,207 in a single day, but I came home with something more than money. I came home reminded of just how much kindness there is in our community and how many people genuinely want to see Paul keep fighting.”

And she added: “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every business that has donated, every volunteer who has helped, every person who has shared Paul’s story, every person who has donated — whether £1 or £100 — and everyone who continues to ask how Paul is doing.”