Wirral dad celebrates cancer ‘miracle’ by putting his dancing foot forward for Strictly Maggie’s fundraiser

A Wirral father-of-two is taking part in cancer care charity Maggie’s annual dance event after beating incredible odds to be alive.

Two years ago Peter Law was told to go home and be with his family after doctors said they was no more they could do for him: “They told me on a Friday that if I was still here on the Monday they’d be surprised,” he says.

“That I’m alive now is a bit of a miracle even they don’t understand.”

Peter is one of the contestants taking to the floor in the Strictly Maggie’s fundraiser at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel on Sunday.

Based on the BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing, 14 people are partnered with a professional dancer and compete to be crowned ‘Strictly Maggie’s Champion 2023’. 

The last three Strictly Maggie’s events have been a huge success, raising more than £150,000 to help Maggie’s continue to provide free support for people with cancer, and their families, in Merseyside and Cheshire.

This year four famous faces will also be there on the night to help add the Strictly Sparkle: actress, presenter and dancer Jennifer Ellison, actor and singer Ray Quinn, actor Daniel Taylor and, the evening’s host, actor and radio presenter Pete Price.

Peter, 55, head of commercial strategy for Virgin Media, is taking to the floor for a quick step to the tune of Bring Me Sunshine.

And while the Greasby dad admits he’s ‘no dancer’ he says: “If I can bring a bit of sunshine and make people laugh like Morecambe and Wise who made the song famous, I’ll be more than happy.

“I’ll be raising money and awareness for Maggie’s whose support and advice have been as important to my life as any treatment. Without them a lot of people, myself included, would be in even more trouble.”

Peter was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2015 and underwent five years of chemotherapy which failed to work.

He was in Christie Hospital in Manchester in 2021 when he was told, effectively, to go home to die.

“I was pretty ill but I didn’t think I was that ill,” explains Peter. “I was due to start a trial and when they took me into a room I thought it was to tell me I wasn’t getting on it but they told me they couldn’t treat me anymore and to accept my mortality!

“Macmillan came the next day, they brought a bed, and I effectively had a living wake with my family. I spent a couple of weeks being fed ice cream and cakes and then I decided to Google treatments. I threw a dice and told Christie’s I’d found a treatment and would they give it to me.”

Although Christie Hospital warned Peter he was so weak it could kill him, they nevertheless agreed to administer the drug for which he had to raise £80,000: “I could only afford two treatments over two months, but after that scans showed I was completely cancer clear!” 

While the cancer did come back, it meant he was fit enough to undergo a new trial which was successful, and which has left him in remission now for two years: “It gave me a fighting chance,” he smiles.

Peter found Maggie’s by chance: “I was having radiotherapy at Clatterbridge on my 50^th birthday and I was feeling sorry for myself, and someone asked ‘have you been to Maggie’s’?

“I didn’t realise but I was parked in Maggie’s car park and when I went in, a woman called Vicky came over to me.  We sat down and she took my hand and about three years’ worth of emotions came out. I was shaking – I hadn’t cried in three years; the relationship with Maggie’s started from there.

“I have done sleep and mindfulness courses, and when you go there you can be vulnerable, you can be a person who is suffering, and no-one will judge you.  You don’t have to be strong for a partner, or hide things from the kids, you can be you – and that’s worth its weight in gold.”

Peter has been practising for Strictly Maggie’s for the last four weeks, with his dance teacher Sarah Hayes, from Merrall’s Dance Centre in Moreton.

“I have really enjoyed it but I won’t be competing for the crown – I’ll be happy if I remember all the steps.

“I know now why the celebrities on the TV train for 12 hours a day. It’s hard, both mentally and physically, but I’m sure it will be a great night for Maggie’s, raising lots of money and, crucially, letting people know they’re there.”

Centre Fundraising Manager, Sashia Mathias says, ‘’We are delighted to be hosting our fourth Strictly Maggie’s fundraising event.

“I continue to be astounded by the guest numbers that come to support to this event – exciting for Maggie’s but also be nerve-wracking for our dancers, all of whom have kindly taken on the challenge. 

“Each participant has given up their free time, sold tickets, and has a fundraising target of £1,000, and my sincere thanks go to them for making a huge difference. While the excitement of the night focuses on our dancing couples and their achievements, it is so important for Maggie’s to raise vital funds from this event to ensure we’re there for those living with, and beyond, cancer.’’

Find out more about Maggie’s here.

Find out the latest in Liverpool here.