'Limited future', but Paul has high hopes

Paul Highton, of Dunedin, relaxes with  wife Jan and their dog, Pebbles, one of the characters in...
Paul Highton, of Dunedin, relaxes with wife Jan and their dog, Pebbles, one of the characters in Sons of the South, held by the author, in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Leukaemia sufferer Paul Highton says nothing more can be done for him medically, and is blunt about his ''limited future''.

But he is grateful for the medical care he has received, and the Dunedin Hospital oncology ward where he was treated will receive the proceeds from his book.

The former R&R Sport chief shareholder, who helped found the chain, has written Sons of the South, a fun ''teenager's tale'' recounting a jaunt through Otago, inspired by son Joe's first year at the University of Otago.

''The book is a celebration of Dunedin, and a celebration of Otago.''

It was written during about eight months spent in the ward while he was treated with chemotherapy.

The 61-year-old spoke highly of hospital staff.

''The hospital staff did a magnificent job. I'm used to being a retailer; I ran R&R Sport for 20 years. I know a lot about service [and] I really couldn't fault their service at all.''

Mr Highton had four courses of chemotherapy between November 2011 and May last year, relapsing in February. He had two further chemotherapy courses.

''I have a limited future. I won't be around for very much longer.

''What my type of acute leukaemia does is attack your immune system blood cells.

''They've done absolutely all they can for me.''

Mr Highton hopes to sell the first run of 250 copies at his book launch on Friday, to raise $5000.

''We're hoping Friday the 13th is going to be lucky for the ward.''

His goal is to raise $10,000 in total.

He hoped the funds would be used to buy new televisions and La-Z-Boy chairs, and to improve internet access in the ward, 8C.

Sons of the South is his first book. The project bemused a few of his friends and family.

''I never regarded myself as a writer. It just seemed like a good idea at the time. It certainly helped keep me sane while I was in hospital. It gave me something positive to do.''

It started as a movie script, morphing into a book when he found the format difficult, but the high-energy yarn resembles a film, he says.

''It's almost like Goodbye Pork Pie revisited ...''

• The book launch is at the old High Tide restaurant building in Kitchener St, at 5pm, and all are welcome.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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