A HIGHLY respected rugby coach who was diagnosed with high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma just two weeks ago has vowed to battle the aggressive disease and recover for his four beloved children.

Mark Steedman was delivered the heartbreaking diagnosis of a high-grade fast-spreading cancer that develops in the lymphatic system by doctors from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on April 4, which came as a massive shock to him and his family.

Having only moved into a new family home at Blindwells with partner Gemma several weeks ago, the 47-year-old was devastated by the news.

As of last Thursday, the Preston Lodge RFC rugby coach started chemotherapy, saying: “This is the start of the process – I’ve got about six months of treatment to get. Fingers crossed it will all be OK but I need to get through this first.

“We’ve got six batches of chemotherapy and then four batches of a treatment with lumbar punctures so they are to go into the spine because the type of cancer I’ve got, the next stage would be for it to spread into the spine and the brain.”

His treatment should conclude around the end of July.

Born and raised in Longniddry, Mark has held a love for rugby his entire life, eventually passing his passion down to his sons Rory, 16, and 21-year-old James.

James plays for Mark’s Preston Lodge RFC side and Rory, who turns out for Preston Lodge Colts, has recently been selected for Scottish Hockey.

His daughter Carrie, 15, is also an avid hockey player, while youngest son Joseph is more of “an Xbox-er”.

'Everybody is positive'

Mark said that breaking the news to his children was difficult but as a family they remained positive, adding: “Everybody is on the positive side of things, our kids are brilliant with it and as a family we have sat down and talked about it together.

“We are all so close and getting through this as a family.”

Mark has been loyal, well-loved and “one of the most successful” rugby coaches Preston Lodge has ever had, according to his team, who refer to their coach as “Steedy”.

The team shared a message to Facebook thanking Mark for his continued positivity, drive and enthusiasm “whilst donning our beloved badge”.

The owner of Bisset & Steedman electrical appliances shop in Tranent said that he planned to get back and start a pre-season if possible to “very much keep me on my toes”.

 

East Lothian Courier: Players at Preston Lodge are rallying round their coach. Image: Nick PollardPlayers at Preston Lodge are rallying round their coach. Image: Nick Pollard

Having served the team on and off for about 12 years, Mark’s recent diagnosis has sent shockwaves through the club, with the group coming together to run the Edinburgh Half Marathon on May 29 in honour of their “beloved Steeds”.

In doing so, the team will raise money for the Walk With Scott Foundation and have already exceeded their £2,000 goal by raising more than £3,500 in just three days.

Finlay Hughes, on behalf of Preston Lodge RFC, said: “We are a very close team so when we heard the news about Mark we were all devastated.

“He has helped so many people over the years and I think the amount of money raised already is a testament to how highly thought of he is.

“We are backing him all the way and can’t wait to have him back on the touchline.”

'They're a really good bunch of guys'

On the fundraising, Mark said: “It’s brilliant, they’re a really good bunch of guys and I always knew they’d do something, they’re a really close-knit group.

“Anything we can do for this foundation is amazing.

“Scott [Glynn, founder of the Walk With Scott Foundation] was a close friend of mine before his passing.

“We met through rugby circles and I own a business called Bisset & Steedman Ltd, and Scott had always been a customer there, popping in and stuff.

“We’ve supported the charity through the business too.”

Visit gofundme.com/f/a-run-for-steedy to donate to Preston Lodge RFC’s marathon next month.