FRIENDS are rallying to help raise funds for a 38-year-old father-of-two who was struck down with a brain tumour - just a few months after moving to Stourbridge to start a new life.

Paul Allen, originally from Norfolk, moved to the Midlands last September after getting a new job as a senior residential support worker at the Glasshouse College in Amblecote.

Towards Christmas he started suffering headaches; tests ensued and just a few weeks ago he was told the devastating news that he was suffering from an aggressive grade four brain tumour.

Paul, who lives in the Old Quarter with partner Cecilia Kus and their two young boys - aged three and three-months, has undergone surgery but medics have been unable to completely remove the tumour, which is considered one of the most difficult types of cancer to treat.

New friends and work colleagues at the Wollaston Road college, which provides education for young people with learning disabilities, have been heartbroken at the news and have started raising funds to help Paul and his family.

Sam Mullett, a residential support worker at The Glasshouse, said: "It's so tragic - he doesn't really know anyone round here apart from work colleagues. He's such a nice guy.

"We want to try and raise as much money as possible for his family.

"We're going to do different fundraising things - possibly a trek up Snowdon and someone's going to shave his beard off. We're also holding a music night called Breaking Good on Friday July 31 at The Glasshouse College from 7pm."

Residential manager at The Glasshouse, Ashley Pountney, who has organised the music event, said: "All the money we make on the door from ticket sales will go to Paul to help his family."

Keen musician Paul, who played gigs in London and East Anglia a few years back, hopes to be able to perform a number of his own self-penned acoustic numbers on the night - alongside other performers.

He said the kindness of his colleagues at The Glasshouse has been "amazing" and he added: "I love all of them. They've been absolutely brilliant."

Despite his devastating diagnosis, Paul says the shock news has led him to rediscover his faith and "plenty of good things have happened" and he's currently seeking out alternative and complimentary therapies that could help to fight the tumour.

He added: "I've found time for just being creative and I feel more myself than I have the last few years. If I get six months they're going to be a damn good six months."

Tickets for the Breaking Good gig cost £10 and will be available on the door.

Any Stourbridge musicians interested in performing on the night can contact Ashley Pountney on 07980 145915.