A SINGER who was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue at the age of 20 has embarked on a songwriting marathon in support of a children’s charity, writes Monica Gibson.

Sean McBain, who is now 34, admits he was horrified when the cancer diagnosis was delivered.

He told the Barrhead News: “For a start, I never knew you could get cancer of the tongue. Also, I thought other folk got cancer, not me.

“I was young, I was in a band, I could sing, my tongue was just fine – but the doctors said differently.

“Through the fog of shock, my only questions were ‘will I lose my hair and will I be able to speak?’

“The tumour was removed, along with lymph nodes on my neck. Fortunately, I didn’t need radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

“My hair stayed and my speech was fine once the wound on my tongue healed. As for singing, I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

Sean, who moved to Neilston with his wife Julie eight years ago, said it was only after he became a dad that he started to realise the magnitude of what he had been through.

He said: “I worked at the rigs for years, I got married. Life went on. Having children makes you look at things differently and I had wanted to do something as a thank you but wasn’t sure what.

“Then I was made redundant last year. And I thought now is the time to do something big.”

Sean was so grateful for the support he received during his own illness that he decided to do something to help others.

The talented musician has been writing and recording a song each week and putting them online, with people asked to donate to charity via his Justgiving page, where he has already surpassed his £2,000 target.

Sean said: “When it came to deciding who to fundraise for, it was a no-brainer. The Teenage Cancer Trust provides comfortable and relaxed hospital facilities catered specifically for teenagers and young adults.

“I would love to raise enough money to make a difference to the trust, to allow them to buy something for the kids and make someone’s fight more peaceful and relaxed and knowing how much that means to someone in that situation drives me to write every week and inspire people to dig in and give a few quid for the cause.

“While I am no longer fighting cancer, I will do what I can to help fight it in others. This is just one small way that I feel I can make the biggest difference.”

To listen to Sean’s music or to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sean-McBain