A doting dad-of-six who was given the devastating news he had just months to live after suffering a sore throat is desperate to make memories for his children.
Childhood sweethearts Lisa and David Parkes, from Prenton, were given the diagnosis weeks before Christmas and have had to break the news to their six children aged 18 and younger.
Liverpool fan David, 41, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer for the second time after beating the disease in April 2019.
Lisa, 40, said David had a sore throat and lost his voice but thought it would heal before they were given the heartbreaking news from doctors.
Teaching assistant Lisa told the ECHO : "It's just devastating, I feel numb. It feels like it's happening to someone else's family.
"It just doesn't feel like it's happening to us. It's hard to imagine that he is going to get worse and he might not be here in a year."
Lisa added telling their six children, Callum, 18, Kelsey, 16, Cole and Ellie-May, 12, and Annie and Zach, 12, was "the hardest thing I've ever had to do".
The couple have known each other since they were 10 and have been together since they left school.
They overcame many struggles to create their large family and have been described as "fantastic parents".
After having some problems swallowing in August 2018, David was first diagnosed with cancer and went through gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The stay-at-home dad also had an operation to remove the his esophagus, but was given the all clear in April 2019.
Lisa's brother, James Hanaghan, 46, said: "He began to become more like himself again, getting stronger and being able to eat more each day and it seemed like we all had dodged a bullet."
Lisa said David began complaining of a sore throat five weeks ago, but had at first thought it was not serious.
She said: "There was a lot of things going round and we didn't think much of it."
David went to his GP and was referred, and after an anxious wait the family were given the tragic diagnosis the cancer was back and this time it was inoperable.
Lisa said: "They said they can offer chemotherapy and palliative care and as soon as I heard 'palliative' I knew he was dying. David asked how long and they said 12 months."
James has set up a GoFundMe page for the family-of-eight to help them go on a holiday to make precious memories.
Lisa said: "It's just all about making memories. I want the kids to have memories of their dad and I want David to be able to relax and try to forget."
James added: "I just think it would be nice for them just to have the memories in place before the worst comes to the worst."
The family have been "amazed" at the response from "people we don't even know", as Lisa sad a kind Liverpool FC fan even offered tickets to the Merseyside Derby in January, for free.
Lisa said: "I can't believe how nice people have been, it's just amazing and I did not expect it."
The family's GoFundMe page can be viewed here.
