Melanoma Info

My name is Simon and here’s some stuff about me:

I’m Oxford born and bred.

I’m in my late forties as I write this.

I got married to Lisa in April 2023 after being together since 2010.

We have a fantastic 10 year old Cockapoo called Albert.

I have supported Oxford United all my life, and I am a season ticket holder on the Southstand Lower. I go home and away, and I can’t wait for us to finally move into our own ground because going to away games really makes me envious right now!

I’m a huge Darts fan and watch all of the tournaments on the TV, and go to as many live events as a I can. My particularly favourites are the UK Open at Butlins, Minehead (what a Stag Do that was), The World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and of course the World Champs at Ally Pally! I really like all of the new talent that is emerging, of course including Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler. But I am old school so I still hold a soft spot for Rob ‘Voltage’ Cross and Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson.

I’m still stuck in the 90’s and I I still prefer listening to Oasis, The Charlatans, The Bluetones, The Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses etc rather than today’s bands. Likewise whenever I think of great international football tournaments, my mind always takes me back to Italia ’90, Euro ’96 and France ’98.

I’m a huge Star Wars fan and my pride and joy is the whole host of vintage figures and vehicles etc that are decked out all around my office. But don’t be surprised to also spot some He-Man, Transformers and other 80’s and 90’s memorabilia as well on my shelves.

In 2025 I found out that I had a Malignant Melanoma on my right forearm. If you have had the patience to read through my blogs, I do have an ask of you. Please make sure you check your skin and if you do spot anything suspicious please do get it checked out and don’t assume that it will disappear. Also, don’t keep these things bottled up. Talk about it. It will make you feel so much better. Longer term I need to make sure I wear plenty of suntan lotion to protect myself from the sun so keep this in mind too because I can’t say I always did this in the past. Who knows, if I did, maybe I wouldn’t be writing this. And if you do need to have something removed, if the worst case does happen, don’t look at it and think it looks horrible. Be proud of your scar. Without my scar, I could be lying in a wooden box in a few years’ time. But instead I’ll be remembering how brave I was getting it checked by the doctor and hopefully enjoying all of the things I have listed above for many years to come!