THE best friend of an Ellesmere Port man has thanked all those who have helped treble the £5,000 fundraising target for him after he was given a cancer diagnosis.

Roxanne Leask, 28, and Kane Barlow, 27, were in the same year at school and she was his ‘best woman’ at his wedding to Katie in 2024.

After Kane, who is an engineer, received a testicular cancer diagnosis, which has spread to a lung, on November 18, Roxanne sprung into action to ensure her best mate would be well looked after.

She created a GoFundMe page, setting a £5,000 target, but admitted she was blown away by the support received after it sailed past £14,000.

“I just want to thank everyone who has donated and got involved,” she said.

“It means the world to us all – it’s really touched Kane and his whole family.

“I spoke to his mum and dad and they were emotional wrecks to see all the support he’s received within a day.

“I was in work, seeing that every time I checked the fundraiser it was going up.

“It’s so touching and I can’t believe it’s gone so well.”

The pair have been friends for 20 years with Roxanne adding her own father treats Kane like a son and explained why she put together the fundraiser.

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She added: “He’s a really close friend and I knew that because he’s going to be out of work and not get paid, I was going to have to do something with being his best mate.

“It was a huge blow to him but he doesn’t have to do this alone – he has his wife Katie supporting plus us his family and friends.

“Because he’s such a big character and a lovely guy and would do anything for anyone, people have given him so much support.

“The fundraising is insane – we never considered it would hit this at all.

“It’s why we put the £5,000 target as we thought we might get a couple of grand but not to double it within a day, and more to come.

“People are still donating and there is more to come with fundraisers such as a walk that my brother is doing next week.

“His work had a whip round for donations and that raised £4,000 – it’s a massive weight off his shoulders.

“Kane is an engineer working at Hinckley Point and will lose a lot of money from not working so hopefully the more we can get means he will be covered.

“There’s no profit here, it’s to make sure he gets by.

“He only bought his house last month and he’s worried about paying his mortgage and the cost of living means that’s not cheap.

“Medically wise, the doctors aren’t worried so he’s not worried but the money situation puts a lot of stress on it.”

Roxanne also added, on Kane's behalf, for men to check themselves for lumps and to go to the doctors if they feel something isn't right, as part of testicular cancer awareness. 

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so by heading to www.gofundme.com/f/support-kane-fight-cancer