Wirral man completes Chester Triple Series for Palliative Care Team

Ben McAlpine, from Bebington, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in June 2022. 

From January 2022 the 45-year-old, who lived with his wife Joanne and stepson Alex, had several visits to his local GP after his food was getting stuck while he was eating.

Ben was investigated and received a scope which did not show anything and was treated for heartburn, he then developed some mild abdomen pain and was referred for an ultrasound of his gallbladder. Ben was rushed to hospital with "excruciating" abdomen pain in June 2022.

On this admission, he received a CT scan which showed he had multiple lesions on his liver. Further tests showed that this was cancer but it was unclear to begin with if this was primary cancer or secondary.

Further scope and biopsies showed Ben had primary oesophageal cancer with liver metastases. He was given a timeframe of six to 12 months with treatment.

Unfortunately, on Christmas Day in 2022, Ben, who was the eldest of five siblings, passed away at home surrounded by his family.

Ben McAlpine (Image: Joe McAlpine)

The fundraiser

Following his death, Ben's brother, Joe McApline, from Bebington, decided to fundraise for the Specialist Palliative Care Team so that others on the Wirral "could benefit in their time of need in the final days and hours of their life".

Speaking to the Globe, Joe, 41, said: "Ben used to work in Vauxhalls many years ago but took redundancy so he could go back to college and retrain as an electrician.

"When he was off his passion was music, he always loved dance music and you could find him mixing on his decks.

"He provided the music for my 40th when all the family I got together in mum and dad's garden. Two of his favourite dance tunes were played at his funeral."

Joe decided to complete the Chester Triple Series, which consists of running a 10k, a half-marathon and a full marathon in the same year.

He completed the 10K in March and the half marathon in May. The marathon is due to take place on this Sunday (October 8). To date, Joe has raised £2200 which will go towards "making a difference to patients at end of life".

"It is my way of saying thanks and raising awareness of oesophageal cancer", Joseph said.

"On December 20, Ben was told there was nothing else that could be offered and he was told to go home and be with his family and enjoy his time left.

"He was put in touch with the Specialist Palliative Care Team, and they treated Ben with so much dignity throughout and they provided support to his wife, parents and siblings.

"They were on hand 24 hours a day and nothing was too much trouble.

"With their expertise, support and guidance Ben peacefully passed away, at home, surrounded by his family.

"Without them and the wonderful district nurses who nursed Ben and offered support to the wider family I am adamant that having Ben at home in the final days would have been much harder."

Ben's other siblings, Tom, Amy and James, along with Ben's son Joseph, raised money by walking the 'Glow Green Night Walk' at the beginning of the year for Clatterbridge, raising a similar amount of money. 

'He is so unbelievably missed'

Speaking about the loss of his brother, Joe, a Critical Care Outreach Nurse, added: "We all miss Ben's presence and his really bad dad jokes and these last 10 months going through all the firsts without him have been really hard.

"Realising you can’t just pick the phone up or send him a text to tell him something or ask advice is really hard. He is so unbelievably missed."

To donate to Joe, click here.