A FATHER’S campaign to raise cash off the back of a cancer diagnosis has edged closer to another milestone.

Paul McGeary, of Newton Aycliffe, celebrated this week as a coffee morning brought his #NotOneInch campaign total to £26,837.

Organised by family and friends, the event raised £1,000 to be split between Bloodwise and a neo-natal unit in Northern Ireland which supported his friends.

Last week’s coffee morning was the brainchild of Mr McGeary’s mother Mary Warke, who enlisted the help of her friends Julie McKenley and Marie Matthews, as well as the support of friends, family and fellow Newtonians.

A cheque for £500 from the coffee morning has made its way to the Antrim Area Hospital via two close friends of Mr McGeary, who relied on the care and expertise of the Neonatal Unit prior to Christmas when their son was born almost eight weeks premature.

Mr McGeary, a teacher at Sedgefield Community College, is battling Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia for the second time.

He has appealed to fundraisers to come together to help propel the sum over the £30,000 mark before the end of 2017.

“The amount raised is a phenomenal effort, from everybody who has both raised and donated to the cause over the past 30 months,” he said. "People have mentioned doing other bits and pieces over the summer which should be well received, but we will not allow this campaign to fizzle out, so we are always keen to hear from others who wish to support.

“Now that I am free from treatment for a second time, I will also be looking to do something myself, rather than just be perceived as a face for the #NotOneInch project.

"My thinking cap is on, and I’d be keen to join in with anything that someone may need moral support with."

For details and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/Paul-McGeary2