THE FAMILY of a young rock climber who died from cancer are making one of his final wishes come true.

Matt Tullis, from Crowborough, East Sussex, came from a dynasty of climbers and was left devastated when a chance blood test revealed he had acute myeloid leukaemia.

After a year of treatment, the 28-year-old was working his way back to fitness when he became passionate about raising awareness of the disease.

Tragically, the cancer returned this summer and he died before he could tell his story.

The Argus: Three generations of Tullis men, Matt, Terry and Chris.Three generations of Tullis men, Matt, Terry and Chris.

Now, his family are raising awareness to his story it will inspiring people to continue to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

His father Chris, who is also a climber, said: “Matt very much wanted to finish what he had started with Cancer Research UK.

“He was a remarkable young man with an inner strength and determination that made us so proud.

"He faced his cancer as he did life – ‘it is what it is, I’ll just get on with it,’ he said.’”

“He decided to get discharged from Maidstone ITU and go home. The doctors told him he wouldn’t make the journey, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer."

Climbing is in the family's blood. Matt's grandmother was Julie Tullis, who is 1986, became the first British woman to summit K2. His grandfather Terry and father Chris, were climbers too.

Cancer Research UK is expecting a £150 million drop in income in the year ahead – equivalent to what it would spend on clinical trials over the next decade.

The Argus: Matt climbing an overhang.Matt climbing an overhang.

The charity’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.

Before his death, Matt told the charity: “It’s tough to think about research being delayed and what this might mean for people affected by cancer in the months and years to come.

“By raising funds now, we can all help lessen the future impact on patients. I hope that people will be moved to give what they can. They could make a real difference.”

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokeswomen for the South East said the pandemic is holding big projects up.

She said: “Matt wanted to help make others cancer-aware, and he wanted people to know the stark reality of the current situation.

"We’re so grateful for that, and feel honoured that he was thinking about us, even in his last days.

"We’re also thankful his family has decided to share his story on his behalf.

“Around 51,400 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the South East.

'We will never stop striving to create better treatments. But we can’t do it alone which is why we need people like Matt and his family to support us.

“We can all stand up to cancer and one day we believe we will beat it.”