Brother’s book seems the write way to help

TRIBUTE: Nick’s wife Natalie with their four-year-old son Zachary outside Christie’s.

A FATHER has penned a book about losing his brother to cancer — and is hoping it will make some cash for The Christie.

Nick Hobin, of Norfolk Crescent, Failsworth, died after being diagnosed with a malignant melanoma aged just 32.

He had been to see his doctor about a mole on his arm. He was told it was harmless but to keep an eye on it. Despite many visits to his doctor and to hospital, he died in August, 2009.

Since his death, Nick’s older brother Lee, his wife Natalie and the rest of his family have raised £23,000 for The Christie, where Nick was treated.

Now Lee has written “God, why are you so cruel?” with all proceeds going to the hospital and charity Factor 50.

He said: “I wrote the book to show how brave Nick was throughout his treatment.

“But it wasn’t just him going through it — thousands suffer with cancer. The book tells how cancer affects families and how the mental state of the disease is much worse than the physical aspect.

“It’s also about his courageous struggle against a deadly disease and the loving family who devoted their time and energy to help care for him.

“I think it would help people going through the same situation as we did to read the book.”

Lee said he felt compelled to help the hospital as they rely completely on donations.

Last week the family were awarded a metal leaf which is displayed in the garden at The Christie to thank the family for their massive fundraising efforts.

Nick’s wife Natalie ran the Manchester 10K with Lee to raise cash earlier this year and they previously held two dinner dances in Oldham.

Natalie said: “I haven’t read the book yet but I think it’s marvellous that he’s written it — I think Nick would have been really proud.”

Lee added: “I always thought it was better to be positive and optimistic rather than be down and pessimistic because that was what Nick was like. He never saw the downside of things, and whatever he had, the most important thing was that he had to be positive and fight it — and as a family, we had to do the same for him.

“He laughed louder and longer than everyone else until the day came when he had to face the fight of his life.”

Nick, who was very well known in Failsworth, worked for the Halifax bank before setting up an overseas property company.

He left a son, Zachary, who is now four-years-old.

Lee’s book has been published by the Strategic Book Group and is available from Amazon or at www.leehobin.com.