A Bexley man who died from a brain tumour at the age of 30 has inspired friends and family to raise £34,000 in just over a year.

Formers BETHS Grammar School pupil Nick Cotton was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour just six months after marrying Rachael Sinclair, after experiencing painful headaches.

The solicitor passed away in Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice just 10 months later – ironically he had run the London Marathon for the same hospice three years before.

Nick’s widow Ms Sinclair said: “My husband Nick was a regular, happy 29 year old man with so much to look forward to.

“He never let the illness stop him.

“Nick always had an amazing sense of humour and during the ten months that he was ill the condition did not affect Nick's temperament and he remained the intelligent and witty man we all knew him to be.

“Despite the fact that he was going through treatment and fighting this illness he was insistent on enjoying the time that he had right up until the end.”

The Nick Cotton Foundation was set up in October 2013 to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, and friends and family have fundraised ever since.

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Nick's friends Ben May, Mark Athawes, Chris Adie and Jason Holmes at a charity golf tournament

They have hosted barn dances, curry nights, bowling and football matches, golf tournaments, pub quizzes – which have raised a staggering £7,000 - and race nights in memory of the Nick.

She added: “Nick wanted to help others and wanted to donate his organs.

“Unfortunately the donation of his organs wasn’t to be because the tumour had reached his brain stem, so I set up 'The Nick Cotton Foundation'.

“Nick’s brain tumour journey highlighted the desperate need for more effective treatments and ultimately a cure to bring hope for the thousands of people diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

Brain Tumour Research found 16,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours every year, and deaths from the disease continue to rise.

You can donate to the cause here.