A QUARRY Bank businessman hit with a devastating cancer diagnosis has been hailed an "inspiration" for his selfless fundraising efforts in aid of Mary Stevens Hospice.

Gutsy Ivan Partridge, of Patina Close, has raised nearly £6,000 for the Stourbridge based hospice since being diagnosed last year with a "very rare" form of melanoma - which led to him needing major facial surgery.

The 55-year-old father-of-three, who works as managing director for Italian manufacturing company Motovario, coined in just under £2,000 for the hospice after asking for charity donations instead of gifts at his wedding at Dudley Register Office to long-time partner Yvonne last August - shortly before undergoing life-changing and risky surgery to remove his left eye, jaw and teeth.

Despite initial good news from medics - the couple's celebrations were shortlived, however, as Ivan went on to develop secondary cancer just weeks later.

But in spite of the bleak prognosis, he threw himself into trying to raise more money for the cause and set about organising a charity event for the hospice at The Laurels in Colley Gate.

The bash, which featured a raffle and entertainment by Frankie Valli tribute act Stephen James from Netherton, generated £2,734.93 - with donations continuing to flow in afterwards.

Diane Moore, lottery and promotions manager at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: "Ivan is an inspirational man who, in spite of battling his own serious health issues, has focused his attention on raising funds for Mary Stevens Hospice.

“It is testament to Ivan’s dogged determination, together with the immense support of his wife Yvonne, their family and friends, that has ensured his ambition reached fruition, and I am delighted he has succeeded in achieving a staggering £5,684.93 for patient care."

Yvonne, Ivan's wife, added: "It's just fantastic, he's such an inspiration to everybody."

Ivan, who was this week undergoing immunotherapy at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has since lost the use of his legs as the cancer has spread to his spine but Yvonne said he was still sending daily emails for work and she added: "He won't give up. He's unbelievable. We keep telling him to stand down but it's been keeping him going."

Ivan, who told the News he wanted to "thank everyone for all their love and support and for all the donations" is now encouraging supporters to get behind his pal Richard Stafford's charity bike ride from Land's End to John O' Groats, taking place in June, which will also raise cash for Mary Stevens.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/richard-stafford2