A GLASGOW charity worker who survived cancer and raised more than £117,000 to help others in need is in the running for a national award.

Paul Sheerin, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer 10 years ago, is a finalist in the Employee of the Year category at the Scottish Charity Awards.

Paul, 43, who lives in Cumbernauld with his wife Louise and three sons, started volunteering for the Beatson Cancer Charity after he received the all-clear following treatment. He is now the organisation’s volunteer co-ordinator and he has been nominated for the award by his colleagues because of his “dedication and passion”.

Glasgow Times: Paul is in the running for a national awardPaul is in the running for a national award (Image: Beatson Cancer Charity)

The Scottish Charity Awards, run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), celebrates the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

Paul organises annual footgolf events and has taken part in 10 Kiltwalks. To celebrate 10 years of being cancer free, he's also hosting a ball in June in aid of the Beatson.

He said: “Being nominated by my colleagues was a lovely surprise, but to find out I’ve been shortlisted for such an award is truly humbling.

“The charity means so much to me after the care, love and attention Louise, our boys and I have had and continue to receive.”

Glasgow Times: Paul SheerinPaul Sheerin (Image: Beatson Cancer Charity)

In addition to his day job, Paul often spends time playing pool and chatting with young patients who are in for treatment, he has delivered Christmas presents to befriending clients at their homes while on annual leave and he often takes food from the Beatson Cafe to patients on the wards, staying for a chat to give relatives a break.

At his ball in June, he is asking all 400 guests to bring a packet of chocolate biscuits for the tea trolley for patients in the chemotherapy unit.

Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “Following his own experience, Paul is driven by an unrivalled and deep desire to help make the journey for people who have cancer just that little bit easier. 

“He is much loved by the volunteers he supports, his colleagues in the organisation and staff in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and in the hospital. He is a well-known and much-loved face around the hospital.”

Winners will be announced at a celebratory awards ceremony in Edinburgh on June 23, hosted by TV presenter Sally Magnusson.

This year’s shortlist includes 32 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country following a record-breaking number of nominations.

While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote before 5pm on May 24.