Photographer's work to aid hospital

Thursday 19th April 2012

An amateur photographer who has a tumour on his spine is to use his hobby to support a cancer charity while he is undergoing treatment.

Matthew Parsons, from Chesterfield, has set up a website to sell his photographs of landscapes, architecture, and animals, with a percentage of each sale going to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, in Sheffield.

The 31-year-old was diagnosed by chance three years ago after suffering a back injury.

Matthew, who works as a retail manager in Mansfield, said: "I slipped a disc and went for a scan on my back, but it revealed I had a rare tumour near my spine."

The biopsy showed it was a Desmoid tumour. Some doctors describe it as a low-grade cancer while others see it as benign.

Matthew began treatment at Weston Park Hospital and the tumour was removed in January 2011, but it returned in October, and he underwent a second operation. He is now due to have five weeks of intensive radiotherapy.

He said: "I have previously taken part in fundraising events like charity bike rides and so when I began treatment at the hospital I decided I wanted to help raise money for it.

"As I have had muscles removed from my lower back I can't do anything physical at the moment, and so I decided to use my love of photography as a way to raise money.

"I thought it was a bit of a different way to raise support and awareness and gives people a lifelong memento of how they have helped the charity."

Sarah Cross, fundraiser at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: "It is fantastic Matthew is helping to raise money for the charity and we are especially grateful he is doing so while going through radiotherapy.

"His prints are absolutely stunning and we would encourage everyone to have a look at his website and support Matthew's fundraising."

Pictures are priced from £3.99 with all net proceeds from prints purchased between April and September 2012 helping the charity. To see the gallery visit http://www.parsonsphotography.co.uk.

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