A retired carpenter and Doctor Who enthusiast from east Leeds has constructed a full-sized wooden Dalek, named Rustic, to be auctioned off in support of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Martin Williams, 73, built the five-foot sculpture in his garden workshop using reclaimed pitch pine, some of which dates back over a thousand years.
Williams began planning the woodwork project before his health changed abruptly in 2020. BBC reported that he was scheduled for a hernia operation when pre-surgical blood tests revealed acute renal dysfunction. His general practitioner directed him immediately to the emergency department at St James’s University Hospital, where medical evaluations confirmed an advanced prostate cancer diagnosis.
It had such a striking shape, and I knew exactly what type of wood I would use to recreate it,
Williams stated, according to BBC. Despite undergoing subsequent hormone treatment and 22 rounds of radiotherapy, the carpenter continued working on the sculpture in his garden workshop, drawing inspiration from a small figurine on his workbench.
The DIY Dalek raising funds for cancer research https://t.co/8rN2K4pFrt
In November 2025, clinical follow-ups indicated that the malignancy had metastasized to Williams’s lymph nodes and bones. There are a lot of tiring side effects, but 20 years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to benefit from this treatment. I feel lucky to still be here,
Williams told BBC.
The pine sculpture is scheduled to go under the hammer in February, preceding the charity’s 2027 Gala Dinner. Neil Preston, Director of Fundraising and Supporter Experience at Yorkshire Cancer Research, noted that the proceeds will support regional efforts to detect, prevent, and treat cancer across the county, according to BBC.
| Clinical Parameter | Patient Status & Clinical Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Presentation (2020) | Renal failure secondary to urinary obstruction from an enlarged prostate |
| Oncological Interventions | Hormone therapy and 22 cycles of localized radiotherapy |
| Disease Progression (2025) | Metastasis confirmed in regional lymph nodes and osseous structures |
| Fundraising Initiative | 5-foot reclaimed pitch pine Dalek sculpture slated for charity auction |
- BBC. DIY Dalek raising funds for cancer research.
- Yorkshire Cancer Research.
