This is a heart-warming tale of inspiration of two men, both cancer patients, who met by chance during a session of chemotherapy at the Shooting Star Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. A single-decker bus had already been bought for this project by Tony, a community minded local businessman, who has a shop in Corwen devoted to upcycling goods. Tony has a humbling approach to life, living by the mantra that he is indeed a lucky man in life, hence the adopted bus name. Ian, a qualified mechanic as well as sheep farmer had just been diagnosed with inoperable gastric cancer and admits that he was in a very bad place when he met Tony.

Both men hit it off immediately during their first chemotherapy session together and discovered a mutual desire to want to give back at a time in their life, catalysed by finding themselves also very much in need.

Their idea is to convert a single-decker bus into a camper bus. The aim of the bus is for families to be able to have respite for short breaks at no cost to them. They also wish to provide bicycles for the family to visit nearby shops and generally explore the area.

In the weeks out of season they want to be able to take the bus out to Corwen, Oswestry, Wrexham, Llangollen, Chirk and other places, so that they could provide a hub to meet up with other cancer sufferers that are on chemotherapy or about to start it so that they can have a coffee and a chat, share stories and generally support each other. The bus will have seating both inside and outside under a gazebo in warmer weather, where snacks, hot and cold drinks will be available at no cost.

When the bus is finished being converted into a camper bus, it will be able to accommodate Mum, Dad and up to 4 children. It will have two sets of bunk beds and a bed settee. It will be possible to fit extra beds if needed. There will be a toilet and wash room. The kitchen will consist of a sink, cooker and fridge and storage shelves. There will be a gas fire and electric heaters. It will be mainly open plan living space, with only the WC being the only partitioned off area. There will also be table and chairs and an awning on the side of the bus.

The previous owner of the bus was a full qualified mechanic who has already done a considerable amount of work in order to bring it to road-worthy standard. Currently the bus has no MOT or tax. This funding campaign will go towards its conversion and for the work needed to enable it to be certified for roadworthiness.

Supported by their oncology team and with the help of MacMillan Nurses, families that could benefit will be signposted to the 'lucky-man bus". Thank you for reading.