IT is 10 years since a tumour the size of a dinner plate almost killed Si Nicholson.

Si, who lives on Lowther Road in Bournemouth, was in his first year at Plymouth University when he started experiencing breathlessness and developed a swollen face.

After first being misdiagnosed with an allergic reaction and tonsillitis, he found he could not sleep lying down as his chest was so tight and he had difficulty drinking fluids. He was later rushed to hospital and immediately transferred to a high-dependency unit.

While undergoing a biopsy his lung collapsed and an emerge- ncy tube had to be inserted into his lung to help him breath.

“I only discovered about two years later the x-ray showed a tumour the size of a dinner plate was covering my lungs and stopping me breathing,” said Si.

“I didn’t wake up after the biopsy for a week and started chemotherapy straight away while in intensive care under sedation.

“The word cancer was not mentioned to me until I asked my mum weeks later if that was what was wrong. I had been so ill, they didn’t want to drop that on me.”

Si spent the next three months in hospital and the following six months going back and forward as an out-patient.

Two years later he got a degree in business and tourism.

“I remained very positive after finding out I had cancer. I knew I was going to come through it,” he said.

Si was given the all-clear two years ago.

To mark the tenth anniversary of being diagnosed, Si, now 30, wants people to support Give Up Clothes for Good – a partnership between TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK, as it is also the tenth anniversary of the partnership which has raised £13.2 million.

Si said: “I hope people will drop off as many unwanted items as they can to their nearest TK Maxx store.”

For more information visit tkmaxx.com