A MUM has told the story of her courageous late son who raised thousands of pounds while battling cancer - and how it led her to settle in west Dorset.
Mark Sims was just 15 when he was diagnosed with Nodular Melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer, after finding a lump on his forehead while getting his hair cut.
Mark underwent two surgeries to remove the cancer, but his family were given the devastating news that he would most likely not survive past five years.
Mum Sue said he had a passion for helping others, and went on to qualify as a doctor after recovering.
Tragically after defying the odds, 11 years later in 2015, his cancer returned and had spread to his spleen, right lung and liver and other areas.
Mark after the first surgery to remove his melanoma(Image: Sue Sims)
"You get to that point where you think he will be okay and suddenly it hit again. It was horrible," Sue said.
Before his death in 2017, Mark raised £100,000 for Cancer Research UK and continued to worked as a doctor, through his fight.
He also dedicated time in his final moments to contribute to a study while being treated at Royal Marsden NHS Trust, by donating tissue samples to help understand how cancer spreads and why treatments stop working in its final stages.
A year after his death, Sue published P.S I have Cancer, that was written from a blog that Mark kept during treatment.
Mark receiving a CRUK award from Cancer Research(Image: Sue Sims)
It led the family, previously from Bristol, to move to Beaminster after Sue was invited to The Living Tree cancer support group in Bridport to read an extract of the book.
She said: "What got all of us through was the fact that Mark had been so resilient and we were determined to carry on for him. I stated immersing myself in the book."
Sue now runs the Tangerine Café and Art Gallery in Beaminster, and said she feels a strong connection to the area after her son's legacy brought her to the town.
Tangerine Café and Art Gallery(Image: Google Maps)
"He never lived here but we visited this area and he liked it. He loved Hive beach. I feel there is a connection here because of the book," Sue said.
The proceeds from the book go directly to Mark's fundraiser for Cancer Research UK, which now stands at over £338,000.
Mark's identical twin brother Dave is now an emergency medicine consultant. Mark was able to be his best man at his wedding before he died.
Mark (left) and Dave (right) at Dave's wedding in 2015(Image: Sue Sims)
Sue said: "It has helped him live on. He had such a courageous spirit and that lives on now. He has helped so many people with Cancer Research and the PEACE study.
Sue said the support from the family, including Mark's three brothers, and Mark's friends who have kept in touch, has been invaluable and described them as a "magical bunch".
Donations can be made to Mark's fundraiser here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Sims5