For all those who knew him, Nicky was a very special person. He would still be with us today had his condition been monitored correctly.

Most of us have experienced acid reflux at one point in time. Barretts Oesophagus is a cell change in the oesophagus which, if left unmonitored, can turn into oesophageal cancer and this is what happened with Nicky. Nicky's cancer spread because he was discharged at a time when he should have been kept under observation.

By the time the severity of his cancer was picked up it was terminal. Life can be harsh and it can be unfair but sometimes these things happen. Nicky fought for his life with dignity and passion that few of us would be able to match. 

Given just 6 -18 months to live he stayed with us for nearly 3 years. His dying wish is that other people don't suffer in the way he had to with a condition that would have been prevented had it been monitored correctly.

Nicky had a plan when he retired; to travel the world. Sadly he won't get that chance but we ( Diane - His wife, Robyn - His daughter, and Ryan - Brother in Law) are taking him to the Roof Of Africa with us. Over 7 days and nights, our aim is to trek the 19,341ft (5,895m) to the summit and back starting off in the rainforest, gradually working our way through an alpine zone then desert before hitting the arctic zone near the summit and back again.

The money raised will be split between endoscopy and oncology units. We realise how invaluable the NHS is to us, they do amazing work but budgets are tight and mistakes will happen, they are only human.

Nicky didn't die needlessly, we know the money raised will be used to improve the monitoring, training, support and above all else, awareness, of acid reflux and Barretts Oesophagus; which his son Christopher has now been diagnosed with at the age of only 32, in the general public but also with doctors. Often Oncology, unfortunately, has to pick up the pieces of these failed diagnoses, stretching already impossibly tight budgets even tighter.

We know climbing a mountain won't bring Nicky back to us but it will help our healing process and, with him in our hearts as we climb, we hope to raise awareness of this common condition so that other people will be able to live their lives to the fullest. 

Please, if you have acid reflux for an extended period go and get checked by your doctor. Tablets are not always a long term solution, if your doctor isn't listening, make your voice heard and get help, it could save your life.