SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Today, Phil Webb recalls how he neglected a lump on his lip with consequences that could have been catastrophic. ALEX EMERY reports

Phil Webb lived with a lump on his lip for three years before going to the doctors.

It was only then he discovered he had skin cancer. But the gardener from Stratton was lucky.

Phil, who is in his 50s, said: "If I hadn't gone to get it checked out when I did it would have been a full-blown mess within weeks.

"The doctors told me that the cancer would have quickly spread across my cheek and I would have lost half my face.

"Like most men, I was stubborn about going to the doctors. And it was hard trying to find the time to go, as I was a busy professional groundsman then.

"The lump used to come and go. Some months it would blossom and then start weeping, like a cold sore. It did get quite painful in an achy sort of way.

"My wife Maureen kept on at me to have it looked at and in the end I did."

Phil's trip to the doctors four years ago led to examinations and tests at Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital.

He said: "I was completely gobsmacked when they said it was cancer. I couldn't believe that it was something I had put up with for so long.

"Within a few days I had an hour-long operation to cut it out and left hospital with eight stitches in my bottom lip.

"I was off work for a week after that and used to go back to get the plaster cleaned up.

"It took about three months to heal properly and I've been left with a scar, which just looks like a little nick."

Phil said his cancer experience made him reassess his lifestyle. After 40 years as a grounsdman, including seven at Swindon's County Ground, Phil opted for a change of career.

He set up his own professional gardening company, Phil's Garden Maintenance, and has never looked back.

He said: "Strangely the cancer gave me a new lease of life. I changed jobs because I think the cancer was brought on by spending so much time outside.

"I'm very pale with fair hair and skin and never used to take my shirt off to sunbathe.

"But being a groundsman means you are quite exposed. On windy days you can't tell how strong the sun is.

"Although I am gardening now I can pick and choose when I go out as it is my own business. Or I make sure I stay in the shade on sunny days."

Whatever the weather this Saturday, Phil is determined to fill Marlborough High Street with tunes reminiscent of yesteryear. A dozen barrel organs, synonymous with the Victorian period, will line the road as Macmillan fundraisers grind away to raise cash for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Phil, who has been playing the unusual instrument for 10 years, said: "I'm looking forward to Saturday's fundraiser. We will be playing continuously for six hours, which will be very tiring but worthwhile.

"It's a great atmosphere with good music and I've got people coming from as far away as Leicestershire to play.

"It's amazing to hear how many people have been affected by cancer. Macmillan is always a very popular organisation and people are more than happy to support one of the best charities around.

"The Evening Advertiser's support has been brilliant."

Phil and his fellow fundraisers will be in the High Street with collection boxes from 10am until 4pm on Saturday.

Call the Macmillan cancer line on freephone 0808 808 2020, 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.