'Simon's the best dad in the world'

DESPITE two years of huge emotional upheaval Simon Hall has always put his family first.

Not only has the father-of-two supported his wife Emma through her battle with breast cancer, after she was diagnosed with the disease last year, he had to cope with the death of his father in February.

And the 37-year-old pharmacist, from Trentham, has also raised more than £10,000 for Breast Cancer UK.

Simon and Emma, aged 39, have two sons – Fraser, aged four, and Reuben, aged two.

Dad Simon admits the last few months have been traumatic.

He said: "It's hard to put into words in so many ways. It's so hard to see my wife being ill and to keep a brave face for the kids.

"And, because of my dad's passing, there's not a day where I don't become emotional in some way."

But the devoted father put his own worries to one side to make sure that his wife and children always came first.

Simon said: "One of our foremost goals was to protect the boys from Emma's illness and keep them cocooned from it all.

"We've let them know that mummy was ill but we've tried to keep them away from all the emotion that comes with it.

"I have to spend a little more time with them now but I have great fun, so I have no problem with that at all."

And, despite all the upheaval in his life, Simon also took part in the London Marathon last month, raising extra cash by organising charity nights.

He said: "As soon as Emma became ill one of the ways I wanted to help was by fund-raising.

"Every pound I raise is a pound closer to helping out another unfortunate person."

And Emma has shown her appreciation by nominating Simon in The Sentinel's Father of the Year competition.

She said: "He's the best husband in the world and he's the best dad in the world.

"He's just been absolutely super in looking after us all.

"Fraser was at nursery for a while last year and they said they couldn't see any difference in him, which just goes to show what a good job Simon did."

Emma's treatment has now finished, although doctors have told her there is a chance the disease could still return.

The family is hoping life can now return to normal with Emma going back to her job as a part-time teacher at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich.

But, Emma said, that will not change devoted dad Simon.

She added: "Simon is very hands-on with the kids anyway.

"He's just really good at making sure the kids are having a good time."

Simon is now hoping the family can put their difficult year behind them and enjoy the future.

He said: "You can never really say job done when it comes to cancer but fingers crossed Emma will make a full recovery."

Nominate your dad for the chance to win a day out at Trentham Gardens and a meal for a family of five.

Who is your dad of the year? Email laura.james@thesentinel.co.uk