Two best friends from Bexleyheath and Chislehurst have joined forces to raise money after both their fathers were both diagnosed with brain tumours.

Peter Bennett, 33, of Pinnacle Hill and Bobby Nelson, 34, of Chislehurst Road, met aged 12 and were inseparable at school before later being best men at each other's weddings. 

They have raised £2,745 by taking part in Movember and are determined to raise awareness of the disease after dads Ray and Paul were diagnosed two years apart.

Ray, 64, is recovering after undergoing surgery at King’s College Hospital for a meningioma tumour, first diagnosed in 2012.

Sixty-four-year-old Paul was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumour in August and had surgery at the same hospital.

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Bobby Nelson with his Movember moustache

Peter said: "It’s incredible to think that after everything we’ve been through, we are now both facing this together. 

"These are difficult times and we are extremely grateful to all those who have donated money to such a good cause."

Bobby added: "The diagnoses came as a terrible blow for both of us but at least we have been able to give each other some support. 

"Having someone who truly knows what the other is going through is a great help."

The sons decided on their Movember challenge as they felt it was a good way of raising money for vital research and creating a talking point. 

And thanks to the generous support of friends, family and colleagues, their fundraising efforts quickly smashed their initial target of £1,000.

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Pete Bennett with his Movember moustache

Crispin Zeeman, head of communications for Brain Tumour Research, to which the money was donated, said: "All funds received today are supporting long-term life-saving research tomorrow.  

"We are so grateful to our loyal fundraisers like Peter and Bobby.  

"Our detailed reports reveal the extent that brain tumours lag behind other cancers in terms of funding and highlights how this is one of the few cancers actually becoming more prevalent than a few decades ago. 

"Indeed, one in 50 people who are dying under the age of 60, die of a brain tumour."

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