Cancer patient touring with band shows life’s still sweet

When Dave Markham, 56, was diagnosed with prostate cancer it came as a huge shock, but he has now teamed up with a friend to stage a series of concerts.

All the money raised will go to the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity – which supports the work of Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital.

Mr Markham, a former marathon and fell runner and a father of three, from Stannington, Sheffield, said: “In the grand scheme of things, life is too short to dwell on situations like this.

“My attitude to life has very much always been ‘look forward and tomorrow will be better’.”

Mr Markham retired from his role as head teacher at Greystones Primary School in Sheffield after his diagnosis in 2010.

Now he is putting all his energy into practising for gigs with friend Mike Lydiat, from Hunters Bar, and their band TOFFEE, or Two Old Fellas For Evening Entertainment.

The duo, who have been friends for more than 20 years, will be performing monthly at the Shakespeare Pub on Gibraltar Street, Sheffield where they will be also be collecting for the charity.

They also play at care centres and donate any fee paid to the charity. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity needs to raise £1.3m every year to support the work of Weston Park Hospital, one of just four dedicated cancer hospitals in England.

The next gig is on March 12 at the Shakespeare, Gibraltar St and doors will open at 8.30pm.