A north-east cancer survivor will light up the skies again this weekend to raise funds to fight the disease through a local charity.
Cuminestown man John Burdon launched a huge appeal for Ucan and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary two years ago after beating bladder cancer.
Now the 63-year-old has organised a third annual fireworks display to give fresh hope to other people diagnosed with the condition.
In the build-up to the display at New Deer showground this weekend there will be a host of activities including fire-eating, juggling, stunt performers and live music.
The previous two Ucan displays have attracted thousands of visitors to the New Deer area, with cash raised used to help the charity bring a robotic surgery machine to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
So far this year £6,500 has been donated to the event’s Just Giving page.
More than 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year in the UK, and the survival rate is about 56%.
Other urological cancers such as prostate, kidney and testicular are among the most common affecting families in the UK – but are often are the least talked about.
Mr Burdon said: “These cancers can affect both men and women, accounting for one in three of all cancers in men and one in five for women.
“Five thousand urological cancers are referred every year to hospitals in the north-east and in the whole of Scotland there is only one robotic surgery machine available for these patients.”
Mr Burdon added: “Our efforts are aimed at supporting Ucan, a unique charity supporting patients and their families who have been touched by this cancer.”
In August last year ARI’s robotic surgery machine treated its first patients following a £2.5million fundraising drive by Ucan and support from the Scottish Government.
This year’s fireworks event will be held at the New Deer showground on Saturday, October 22.
Gates open from 4.30pm and the pyrotechnics begin at 8pm.
