Brave John's lawn firm a cut above

OWNER of Brigg-based GreenThumb lawn treatment, is not only on the road to recovery following a brain tumour but his business is in-line for a top award.

John MacKeddie, 53, and his wife Jane, also 53, who run GreenThumb - a lawn treatment service in Brigg - were about to brace themselves for a stormy recession.

And while for most businesses across the country the last 12 months has been a struggle to survive, the MacKeddies, will look back on their best year ever.

Not only have they been shortlisted as finalists in the Franchisee of the Year Awards, by the GreenThumb company - but John beat a brain tumour.

This year started ominously when John fell ill in January. His eyesight began to fail he had to stop work when he was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma [a type of brain tumour]. Luckily, tests showed the tumour was benign.

Surgeons removed it in April and doctors told the couple the outlook was good – however, John would still need months off work as he underwent radiotherapy.

Following his nomination by the director of the company, John said he was delighted to be shortlisted for the award. He said: "We were ecstatic - especially considering the year we've had. I haven't worked a days work in the office this year."

Speaking about his tumour, John said: "I felt a bit jaded, I thought it was my thyroid playing up, then at the same time my eye started being fuzzy around the edges. So I went to have my eyes tested and the optician said my sight was fine but there was something going on behind my eye.

"I went to my GP and he referred me to Hull Royal Infirmary and a MRI scan showed I had a tumour in the middle of my head. They found that it was pushing on the front of my optic nerve and pituitary gland."

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