The family of a terminally-ill Dundee dad are trying to fulfil his bucket list after he was given just days to live.
Stephen Thomson, 43, was diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks ago.
The delivery man from Whitfield, who has three children, went to the doctors with what he thought was just a chest infection.
Medics initially suspected Stephen had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but after doctors noticed his treatment was not working, he was given a CT scan that revealed a tumour in his lung.
He was admitted to the high-dependency unit at Ninewells but has since been moved to Roxburghe House for palliative care.
Stephen’s bucket list
Nicolle Davidson, who is the partner of Stephen’s nephew, has now launched a fundraiser on behalf of the family to help raise funds to carry out Stephen’s last wishes, help with funeral costs and support his three children.
Stephen is said to be a racing car fanatic, with a lifelong dream of getting behind the scenes of a championship race.
On Friday, his family have been invited to Knockhill ahead of the British Touring Cars Championship (BTCC) to meet his racing idol, Gordon Shedden.
Nicolle said: “It all happened in about a week.
“We don’t have months, we only have days – hopefully maybe weeks.
“We had a meeting with the doctors and they said that Stephen is starting to deteriorate again so we need to start getting things done sooner rather than later.
‘He’s an absolute car fanatic’
“Stephen’s really into cars, he’s an absolute car fanatic.
“His bucket list is to go to Knockhill and get driven around in one of the cars; they don’t have any space for that at the moment but the BTCC event is on this weekend.
“Stephen has followed Scottish driver Gordon Shedden for years and he really wants to get up there on Friday before the championship to meet the drivers and have a little bit of a behind-the-scenes tour and stuff.
“His consultants have been absolutely outstanding at Roxburghe House, they’ve managed to hire a private ambulance that will take Stephen, stay with him and it has the ability to be blue lighted as well if needed.
“He’s also into car YouTubers, especially these two boys from Ireland called juiceboxforyou – I’ve messaged them as well just for a Facetime or something so he can pick their brain and ask a few questions.
“We’re just trying to give him the best possible last few days and trying to take his mind off everything as well.”
Stephen’s older sister, Cheryl Thomson – who is his next of kin – says Stephen’s children, Shauni, 25, Reece, 14, and Tyler, 6, are all putting on a brave face.
‘He’s been amazing’
Cheryl said: “Stephen’s a good dad. He’s a wee gem, he’s been like my fourth child to be honest with you.
“He’s just been amazing. I’m older and we were just so close growing up, we were joint at the hip.
“I’m just living on caffeine and adrenaline. I’m OK, I just need to be there for Stephen.”
Stephen has also said that one of his biggest wishes is to get more pictures with his family, particularly his children, so they have something to remember him by.
Nicolle says the fundraiser, which has raised over £500 so far, has left Stephen – who has a partner, Aleisha – feeling “gobsmacked”.
“We weren’t sure about telling Stephen about it at first as he’s a really proud man, but he was quite emotional when we told him how much we’d raised so far, he just couldn’t believe people were raising money for him,” she added.
“He says he’s never been so popular.
“He’s one of those men who didn’t expect to need life insurance or anything like that so obviously, with his family, we’ll be making arrangements for them in the end but anything from [the fundraiser] will help towards that.”
Conversation