A carpenter who found out he had brain cancer after suffering from headaches died just seven months after his diagnosis.

Paul Zmak from Portslade had been suffering with headaches and anxiety for a year, which he attributed to stress at work and the loss of a family pet.

But last October he had a sudden loss of movement from the waist down. Following tests and a biopsy, the grandfather-of-five was given the devastating news he had a glioblastoma, a type of brain tumour.

The cancer quickly took hold and seven months later, on May 18, 2024, Paul died at his home aged 58.

Now, his son-in-law Jamie Williams, who turned to hiking and fitness to support his mental health after Paul’s death, is helping to raise funds to find a cure for the disease.

Jamie Williams, left, with Paul Zmak, front and Theo and FreddieJamie Williams, left, with Paul Zmak, front and two of Paul's grandchildren Theo and Freddie (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

READ MORE: Ground-breaking cancer research centre opens in county

Jamie, who has three children, said: "It was a scary time for Paul and all the family. Seeing what he went through physically was horrendous. To see how quickly the cancer took hold of Paul’s body was upsetting. He had one round of chemotherapy, but we were told the cancer was too far gone and there was no treatment that would be effective.

"Getting outdoors and walking helped with my mental health as well as physically giving me the space to process what was happening."

Paul died at home leaving behind a loving wife, and blended family of five children, including daughter, Jessica.

Jamie, 36, who lives in Burgess Hill, has set himself a challenge of climbing the Three Peaks in just 24 hours, setting off on Sunday to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Jamie, a car paint protection film installer, said: “We were chatting at work about epic hikes when someone called me out for my ability to climb a mountain and joked that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Yet, here I am, fully ready to give it my all in tackling the most famous three summits across the UK.”

He has already raised £1,000 for the charity. In June, he cheered on fellow hiker, Mark Gardner who was Paul’s best friend, who walked the South Downs for the cause.

Jamie said: “This is close to my heart. If there is investment into researching brain tumours then maybe one day there’ll be a cure and more treatment options. That’s why I’m doing it so other families aren’t ripped apart because of this disease.”

Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Paul’s story is devastating but unfortunately not uncommon. It’s a reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate, they can affect anyone at any age.

"With the support of people like Jamie, who is raising vital funds and awareness intro research brain tumours, we can find kinder treatments and eventually a cure for this devastating disease.”