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FATHER'S CHRISTMAS HEARTBREAK

Cancer-stricken dad celebrates early Christmas with his baby son in case he doesn’t make it to December 25

Jay Clark staged a special festive party for 10-month-old boy Maxie so he remembers "daddy will always miss him"

A DYING dad celebrated Christmas with his baby son because he fears he might not survive until December 25.

Inspirational father Jay Clark, who has pancreatic cancer, celebrated the festive occasion early with 10-month-old Maxie and girlfriend Caroline Donoghue.

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the home of Jay Clark when they pushed forward the festive celebration
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It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the home of Jay Clark when they pushed forward the festive celebrationCredit: photo-features.co.uk
Jay said he was "overwhelmed" by the early Christmas with his partner Caroline and son Maxie
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Jay said he was "overwhelmed" by the early Christmas with his partner Caroline and son MaxieCredit: photo-features.co.uk
By all accounts Maxie was absolutely transfixed with his giant bear present
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By all accounts Maxie was absolutely transfixed with his giant bear presentCredit: photo-features.co.uk
The dying dad has been battling the crippling condition for more than a year
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The dying dad has been battling the crippling condition for more than a yearCredit: photo-features.co.uk

Father Christmas, presents including a giant teddy which fascinated Maxie and a snow machine made it a "memorable day"as Jay battles the crippling illness.

Jay, from Pevensey, East Sussex, was diagnosed two months before Maxie was born and feared he would never see the tot's first Christmas.

After local paper Surrey Mirror arranged the Christmas Day, Jay said: “Words can’t describe how overwhelmed and grateful we are."

He said he wanted Maxie to know "daddy will always miss him".

Plasterer Jay and dog groomer Caroline, 37, believed they were both infertile. She had spent £21,000 on failed rounds of IVF before meeting him.

But in May last year they were "overjoyed by a miracle pregnancy", reports .

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Cruelly, Jay fell ill seven months later with crippling stomach pain and his ski turned jaundiced, a sign of pancreatic cancer, as a tumour pressed against his bile duct.

Most sufferers have weeks to live but Jay was given a fighting chance until it emerged the tumour was inoperable as it was growing on an artery.

Shortly after Maxie was born in January, Jay learned the cancer had spread and his days were numbered.

Jay has enjoyed an incredible year with his son Maxie despite his ever worsening medical condition
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Jay has enjoyed an incredible year with his son Maxie despite his ever worsening medical conditionCredit: photo-features.co.uk
They have made sure Maxie has lots of pictures to remember his dad - including this matching selfie one
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They have made sure Maxie has lots of pictures to remember his dad - including this matching selfie oneCredit: photo-features.co.uk
Another extra special occasion was Jay taking Maxie for his swimming lesson
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Another extra special occasion was Jay taking Maxie for his swimming lessonCredit: photo-features.co.uk
Caroline and Jay copy their adorable son in this heartwarming pose
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Caroline and Jay copy their adorable son in this heartwarming poseCredit: photo-features.co.uk

Since then he has documented his plight via a Facebook page and taken hundreds of pictures with his child, from wearing matching onesies to enjoying their first swimming lesson.

Jay, who has also set up a JustGiving page to support his partner and child, insists despite everything there have been "silver linings".

He said: "How many fathers get to spend the first year of their son’s life with them? And now I spend an early Christmas with him too. Despite everything, I consider myself to be a lucky man in many ways.”

To donate to Jay’s cause visit See his blog at

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