FRIENDS and family of a popular Halesowen businessman who died just ten days after being diagnosed with leukaemia raised more than £6k in his memory by getting muddy with their four-legged friends.

Dog-lover Spencer Digby, who ran Spencer Signs, in Hereward Rise, died last October, aged just 44, days after his shock diagnosis.

Fifteen of his friends and family, along with their canine companions completed a 5km Muddy Dog Challenge in Cheltenham on Saturday June 1 and raised £3,292 for the Leukaemia Cancer Society.

They have set up a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spenniesboysandgirls - with donations still coming in.

Spencer's friend Donna Hipkiss said: "We want to say a big well done to everyone who took part and a massive thank you to you the general public for all their donations.

"In total on the day £78,000 was raised for Battersea dogs home with the Spennies Team contributing £1,200 towards this and £3,322 for the Leukaemia Cancer Society.

"A massive thank you to Anna Mawhood and her friends who also raised an extra £1,778 for Mountain Dog Rescue, another charity very close to Spencer's heart.

"There is still chance for last order donations!"

Much-loved son and brother Spencer, who lived in Shenstone, near Kidderminster, was a popular figure around Halesowen - it would have been his 45th birthday on June 6.