Northern Ireland

Belfast father to run five marathons after son's cancer diagnosis

Paul Boyle pictured with his son, Sean
Paul Boyle pictured with his son, Sean Paul Boyle pictured with his son, Sean

A MAN whose teenage son underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour is to run five marathons in the coming months to raise funds for the hospital unit where the 17-year-old is currently being treated.

Paul Boyle, who lives on Belfast's Ormeau Road, is seeking to support the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. (RBHSC).

The father-of-four will be running the Boston, Belfast, Derry, Dublin and New York marathons to meet the target.

Mr Boyle, who is the head of sport at Belfast Metropolitan College, has set out to undertake the challenge as a way of giving back to unit.

Sean Boyle, then aged 16, was taken to see a GP last summer when he began suffering prolonged dizzy spells. When the spells persisted, the teenager was referred to a specialist in October who later diagnosed him with a cancerous brain tumour. Within two weeks, Sean, a pupil at St Joseph's College, underwent surgery to remove the tumour, which had been blocking the drainage of fluid from the brain, causing it to swell.

He then had radiotherapy and is currently having chemotherapy. Mr Boyle said the "trauma from the surgery" had affected his son's ability to walk unassisted, but it is hoped this will be overcome in time.

The south Belfast man said Bredagh GAC, where Sean plays, had been "absolutely tremendous" supporting his fundraising campaign.

Sean Boyle, who is 17, is currently being treated in the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour
Sean Boyle, who is 17, is currently being treated in the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour Sean Boyle, who is 17, is currently being treated in the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour

"I wanted to give something back to the children's hospital, the cancer unit, the staff have been wonderful," he said.

"Nothing prepares you for that situation. When you are told your child has cancer, your whole world falls apart. The staff at the children's cancer centre have experience in dealing with that. We got tremendous support from them and given the pressure the NHS is under, they just go that extra mile. We are just so grateful for the treatment he is receiving. We wanted to give something back to them."

Mr Boyle, who has fundraising efforts have already exceeded an initial £8,000 target, is now planning to run the Boston Marathon on April 18, followed by marathons in Belfast in May, Derry in September, Dublin in October and New York in November.

Belfast father-of-four Paul Boyle is planning to run five marathons in the coming months in aid of the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) where his son, Sean (17) is currently being treated
Belfast father-of-four Paul Boyle is planning to run five marathons in the coming months in aid of the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) where his son, Sean (17) is currently being treated Belfast father-of-four Paul Boyle is planning to run five marathons in the coming months in aid of the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) where his son, Sean (17) is currently being treated

"Considering what Sean is going through, the pain and suffering I will experience is nothing," he said.

"That will just drive me on and the fact that it is for such a good cause, that will motivate me. I usually run marathons anyway. I just saw a simple opportunity to raise money for the charity and raise awareness of what they do."

Donations can be made via Sean Boyle's Fundraising Page at justigiving.com.