'Fit as a fiddle' dad suddenly struggled with running...it was lethal lung cancer that killed him months later

The wife of a super-fit man who died of lung cancer just nine months after diagnosis has warned that the disease 'can happen to anybody'.Sean Kelly, 59, from Scarborough was 'fit as a fiddle', having run several marathons and raised thousands for charity, including more than £20,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.In October 2024, just four months before his diagnosis, he ran the Chester Marathon in an impressive two hours and 48 minutes. But a few months later the father-of-two began to suffer breathing problems while out on his runs - something that was deeply unusual for a man who was 'never poorly'.In January 2025, Mr Kelly, a former Shell employee, visited his GP and was referred to hospital for further tests, including X-rays, which didn't spot anything unusual.'All his observations were completely perfect,' said his wife Julie, a 62-year-old practice manager.However, doctors invited him for a follow-up CT scan - which gives detailed pictures of the organs - just in case. Devastatingly, the scan showed a small cell lung cancer (SCLC), leading to a formal diagnosis in early February. Sean Kelly had been active since his teens, and was 'fit as a fiddle' when he was diagnosed'We'd never heard of it,' said Ms Kelly. 'We were in complete disbelief, shock.'We just thought they'd got it wrong. It can’t possibly be. Look at him.'Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with around 46,400 people diagnosed each year.There are two main types - non-small, which often develops in the outer area of the lungs, and small cell, which is usually found in the main airways called bronchi in the centre of organs.Only around one in 10 lung cancers in the UK are the small cell type. Common signs include a cough that lasts for weeks or more, breathlessness, or a chest infection that does not get better.Smoking is the biggest risk factor for the disease, which has usually spread to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed.Mr Kelly's cancer had progressed to stage four as there was cancer in his kidneys and liver.Doctors said he likely had a maximum of a year to live - even with treatment.Despite the initial shock, Mr Kelly 'took the bull by the horns' and wanted to get started with treatment immediately. The pair met in 1985 while she was working as a receptionist at Scarborough's Grand Hotel 'The worst that ever happened to him was he had his appendix out, but apart from that, he was very fit, very healthy, never poorly.''He accepted it was real, it was his body, he knew,' she said.'He didn’t for a minute dream it was cancer, but he quickly stepped forward into thinking what am I going to do now?’Sean initially started with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, before learning the cancer had spread to his brain and continuing with just chemotherapy.In a quest for a 'new sense of purpose' he embarked on a 60-mile charity walk in April 2025, organised by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.He raised £4,000 by walking the astonishing distance in 15 days and was later invited to Downing Street to celebrate the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s 35th anniversary.In his speech about the importance of lung cancer screening, he said: 'All I now want to do is help people [that come] after me and remind people how important screening is.'I had my chance, I took it, and this is probably one of the saddest and most proud moments of my life.'After his fourth round of chemotherapy, Mr Kelly was suffering 'excruciating pain', which led the couple to the heartbreaking decision to stop treatment.Mr Kelly was admitted to Saint Catherine’s Hospice on October 20 and 'sadly never came back.'He died on November 14, surrounded by his loved ones. Ms Kelly says the grief she feels after losing her husband is 'an ever-changing process'Speaking about grief, Ms Kelly said: 'I think initially it’s shock, followed by disbelief, complete disbelief.'All I can say is that grief, for me, is an ever-changing process and is different day-to-day.'She has found comfort in keeping herself busy with work, fitness and dog walking, surrounding herself with friends and family and spending time with her two grandchildren.'The babies are a godsend,' she said, adding that Mr Kelly only met one of his grandchildren.'Sean talked about this when he was still here because he believes in the circle of life.'We’re all devastated he’s not here because we know he would have been the world’s best granddad.'Earlier this year Ms Kelly took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon and said she 'loved every minute of it'.Speaking about her advice to others, she said: 'There’s no script and there’s no planning, and the one thing I’ve learned is not to think too much and just let (the grieving process) happen.'I want to keep his legacy going because he was all about helping other people.'