A FATHER battling leukaemia for the second time has reason to celebrate after his fundraising total smashed through the £25,000 mark.

Paul McGeary, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was 33 when he was struck with acute promyelocytic leukaemia just over two years ago, and despite beating the disease in 2015, he suffered a heartbreaking relapse in July 2016.

Throughout the ordeal, the married father-of-one has busied himself raising funds, and with the help and encouragement of family, friends and strangers, efforts in the 24-month period accumulated £24,112.38 prior to Christmas.

A maths teacher at Sedgefield Community College, Mr McGeary was bowled over when he found out a charity event at the school had raised almost £1,500 - tipping his fund over the next milestone to reach £25,582.23.

He said: “I was made aware that school were raising monies, but I had no idea contributions would reach anywhere near £1,500. I almost fell over when I was told of the total amount.

“I couldn’t have been much prouder of the efforts of the students and my work colleagues, and it gives me the motivation to not only continue to raise further funds and awareness, but to also beat this disease a second time and lead a normal life again, including a return to work.”

Cash raised by Mr McGeary will go to cancer charity group Bloodwise under his #NotOneInch banner.

Previously, staff and students from the school had raised £700, meaning almost 10 per cent of the total amount has come via their efforts.

A school spokesperson said: “School supports many nominated charities, but when student representatives were asked who they wished to raise funds for via their annual non-uniform day and Christmas celebrations, they unanimously agreed it should be for Mr McGeary’s #NotOneInch campaign.

“The students have followed his story from day one, and have really bought into the message of raising vital funds and awareness for Bloodwise.

“It is testament to them that their efforts have helped take donations beyond the £25,000 milestone, and they should be really proud, as we are of them.”

As well as raising funds and awareness to support Bloodwise, Mr McGeary and his wife Becky McGeary recently launched a campaign to get more people signed up to the bone marrow registry.

The teacher himself is seeking a donor to further improve his chances of beating leukaemia for good but for the meantime faces an agonising wait.

People between the ages of 16 and 55 who are deemed to be in good health are able to donate.

To find out more visit www.anthonynolan.org and www.dkms.org.uk