A cancer survivor refused to let his illness beat him and instead set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to “keep busy” and help his community.
David Smith, 31, discovered a lump on his testicle last August and received the devastating news he had cancer.
It came as a complete shock for Mr Smith who thought he was a fit and healthy man.
He underwent three cycles of chemotherapy over the course of three months at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral.
But despite admitting it was a “horrible” time, Mr Smith decided he wouldn’t let his cancer beat him and set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the housing estate he lives at in Broughton to keep himself busy.
Mr Smith said: “I wasn’t expecting to be diagnosed with cancer as I’m a fit and healthy guy. I started my treatment at Clatterbridge in September undergoing three cycles of chemotherapy.
“It was hard and a horrible experience but it was necessary and the staff there were absolutely amazing.
“To keep myself occupied I set up a Neighbourhood Watch on my estate at Parc Jasmin in Broughton."
The watch scheme now has 120 members and Mr Smith has also organised events for his neighbours including an Easter egg hunt.
Mr Smith was presented with a teddy bear by the Online Watch Link Association (OWL Cymru) in Flintshire and Wrexham for his efforts in the community.
A number of bears were given out by the group’s President Lord Barry Jones and trustees Bill Bereton and Gill Faulkner to well-deserving members of the community this week as part of Owl Cymru’s Preloved Homeless Bear safety campaign.
Mr Smith has been well supported by OWL Cymru, North Wales Police and housing developers Bloor Homes and Bellway.
He said: “I want to thank the OWL especially for all their support as well as police. And to Bloor and Bellway who have given money to help put up signage. We’re very lucky as our community is very engaging and want to get involved to make it a better place.”
Rhys Nicholson, regional managing director at Bloor Homes North West, said: “We are delighted that our donation is going to be used for such a meaningful cause. We are always keen to help the local communities in which we build and show support to them in a viable way.
“David’s enthusiasm and drive to make a difference for all residents living at Parc Jasmin is fantastic. We are extremely proud of the community spirit at the development and are looking forward to hearing all the success stories of the Neighbourhood Watch.’’
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