An Edinburgh man who was diagnosed with skin cancer has urged every Scot to get their moles checked out.
Jack Bridges, 29, had dismissed a bleeding mole on his leg for months until his girlfriend Tessa convinced him to get it looked at last year.
After a series of tests and scans, Jack was diagnosed with Stage Two Melanoma in December.
As reported by the Daily Record, Jack underwent an operation to remove the mole and was given the all-clear in March.
Now, the software developer wants to convince Scots that they need to get suspicious moles looked at by a doctor.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: "I'm ginger with fair skin, you think people who sunbathe etc get skin cancer, which isn't me at all.
"I didn't know the tell-tale signs, until my girlfriend, Tessa Waddell, urged me to see a doctor.
"I also didn't want to put pressure on the NHS in the height of the pandemic.
"But if it wasn't for Tessa, I don't know what position I'd be in now.
"I had suspicions over time that it could be skin cancer but we had to be sure.
"Although it did come as a shock and we were worried.
"I was so grateful that it was caught at Stage Two and was treatable.
"I had an operation to remove the mole and area of skin in February and after a check-up in March to make sure it hadn't spread I was given the all clear."
Back to full health and determined to prevent others putting their lives at risk, Jack took part in Macmillan Cancer Support's Longest Day of Golf challenge.
Alongside his friend, 29-year-old Rohan Ramasubbu, the pair played four rounds at Glasgow's Pollok Golf Club on June 28.
The mammoth effort took them 15 hours; setting off first thing and 'hobbling' to the last 18th hole at 9pm.
So far over £5,500 has been raised on their JustGiving page.
"There were quite a lot of blisters and the last few holes were difficult," Jack said.
"But it was a great day and the club were a great support.
"Thank you to everyone who donated.
"It's all about making people more aware.
"Skin cancer is not just about sitting in the sun too much or sunbeds, anyone could get it.
"If anything, those with fair skin are more at risk."
Louise Mackay, Macmillan's relationship fundraising manager in Scotland, told the Record: "A huge thank you to Jack and his friend Rohan for all their fundraising on the Longest Day Golf Challenge.
"What a fantastic amount of money they have raised to help Macmillan support people affected by cancer.
"Jack is courageously sharing his personal experience so openly to help raise awareness of skin cancer and to emphasis, how important it is to check your moles.
"He's a real inspiration and we can't thank him enough for choosing Macmillan for his challenge.
"Well done, Jack."
Head to Jack and Rohan's JustGiving page to donate.
For more information on skin cancer head to the NHS website.
