A care home nurse from Lye is raising money for people with dementia and learning disabilities, despite being diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Peter Gathercole is raising funds to provide interactive tables to care services that look after people with reduced cognitive function in order to provide sensory stimulation.

The 60-year-old was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer and bone metastasis earlier this year.

Peter, who has been a nurse for 43 years, said: “People do a lot of behaviour because they are not engaged and therefore will get bored and less stimulated, and may demonstrate behaviour that seems inappropriate. These interactive tables provide stimulation.”

“I worked for a few years in a care home in Sale, Manchester. Last year I wanted to do a tandem sky dive to raise money for one of these tables for the care home. However, due to COVID restrictions and now my illness I have not been able to do that. Instead, I want to raise enough money for at least six tables. The plan is to keep going as long as we can, more than six tables would be great.

“My nursing career is not just a job, I want to make sure people have a good quality life and this is my way of doing it.”

Peter’s daughter, Emma Gathercole-Roberts, has set up a go fund me page in support of her father’s fundraiser.

Emma said: “Dad’s diagnosis came as a huge shock and as somebody’s daughter you want to do anything to help. This is my dad’s way of giving back, he always thinks of other people and I wanted to help him achieve this.

“I really hope we can continue to push this fundraiser forward. I know dementia is something which has impacted so many people's lives and if we can help Dad to achieve his bucket list goal it will in turn help so many people.”

To donate visit Peter's gofundme page.