A cancer survivor is celebrating the true value of friendship after his mates launched a fundraiser to send him on the trip of a lifetime.

Nathan Pullan, 23, had already endured the loss of his mother Julie through the illness, when in April last year doctors in Carlisle told him he had testicular cancer.

After treatment, he was given the all-clear in June.

But just a day later, a blood test revealed the cancer was back, and Nathan, who now lives in Brampton, faced more treatment.

The former Carlisle Pizza Hut worker was once again declared free of the disease last November.

Nathan has now told how throughout his ordeal he was supported not only by his family, but also by his amazing friends – and it is they who have launched an online fundraiser to make his long-held dream of a trip to New York come true.

It is being organised by Simon Patrick and Ben Jackson, who met Nathan when all three worked at Pizza Hut in London Road, Carlisle.

It's an inspirational story of friendship.

“I was working in the kitchen and they were both front of house,” explained Nathan, of Gelt Road, Brampton.

“We all just clicked. We'd have nights out together and play football. I got my first cancer diagnosis on April 28, 2016.

“It was tough, to be honest. I'd gone through it with my mum a few years ago. She had cancer twice as well. She had it when I was younger, and unfortunately, coming up six years ago, she passed away with bowel cancer.

“But as soon as I told my friends, they were all totally supportive.

“They kept telling me I was going to get through it.

"Obviously, they were worried, but they know the type of person I am and that I won't give up. They were so supportive. They made it as easy as it was possible to be, and just kept my spirits up.”

Nathan had surgery on May 5 at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle last year, followed by chemotherapy at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

“In June, after treatment,” continued Nathan, “I had a meeting with my consultant and he basically said everything was fine. I had the all-clear.

“That same day, they took some bloods."

The next day, Nathan, by then working at Sainsbury's in Caldewgate, went back to work but while there he had a missed call from the hospital in Carlisle. Whoever rang had left a voicemail message.

“I went upstairs to listen to the message,” he said.

“It basically said that my bloods were not normal and I'd have to go to Newcastle for more chemotherapy. It was really hard taking that news - in a voicemail, while I was still at work.”

Doctors confirmed the cancer had spread to a lymph node in Nathan's stomach, and so began another bout of treatment. By November, doctors were again able to give him the news he most wanted: the cancer was gone.

Throughout it all, his friends stood by him.

Indeed, they were determined to do all they could to support Nathan, who faced the added pressure of mounting debt as he battled to survive on just £85 a week statutory sick pay.

He had to give up his Carlisle flat and move in with his grandparents.

Unbeknown to him, and knowing that New York had long been his favourite city, his friends organised an online crowdfunding campaign to send him there.

“I was completely blown away when I heard about it,” said Nathan, who hopes to study photography at university.

“I didn't expect anybody to have even thought about doing something like that. It was completely unexpected.

"I've always wanted to go to New York. It's my favourite place in the world; and my friends knew how hard it had been for me financially while ill.”

Now in remission, Nathan spoke of how despite the testing time he has come through he had drawn strength and comfort from the support of his friends. “I've got a completely new perspective on life,” he said.

“After my diagnosis I was more worried for my family and my friends. Having seen somebody I love go through cancer, I've seen it from both sides. It's surprising how strong friendship can be.

“I think I've come out of this a better person.”

Ben said of the fundraising effort: “We wanted to help Nathan put this terrible year behind him – and help him achieve a life long dream of going to New York,USA.

“I know loads of people go through similar scenarios with this disease but Nathan witnessed his mum battle cancer six years ago.

“Unfortunately she didn't make it and Nathan feels her loss everyday.

"Nathan vowed to make the most of his life and experience as much as he possibly could. This whole project is to reward Nathan for his positivity and bravery by sending him on a trip of a lifetime to New York.”

The crowdfunding effort has so far raised £1,200 and has a target of £5,000.

To find out more or to donate, visit the crowdfunding website here .