A DAD-of-one left devastated by the death of his mum has raised more than £5,000 in four months in a bid to spare other families from his pain.

Jason Huyton, 39, lost his mum Janet Smith to cervical cancer two years ago, which led to his then 13-year-old brother Jordan coming to live with him, his wife Adele and their daughter Amy, 11, at their home in Shelley Street, Leigh.

Determined to help find a cure for cancer, Jason set his Palatine Paints company on Smallbrook Lane the target of raising £5,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The sum was reached on Thursday, June 16, and Jason is also indebted to the Eastleigh Diamonds under 12s girls' football team he coaches, which he says have played ‘an instrumental part' of his 'grieving and fundraising process'.

Palatine Paints managing director Jason said: “I think what inspired me to do this was the impact cancer has had, not just on my mum, who was courageous throughout, but on the whole family structure and way of life.

“We live our lives with certain routines and habits, and when cancer strikes it devastates the family environment.

“I can only hope our fundraising efforts will bring forward the day when we will beat cancer.

“There have been some fantastic individual donations and as a boss I am in awe of all my staff, as a friend I am overwhelmed at the support from everyone and as a person I am truly humbled.

“I must thank everyone who helped us to reach our goal in such a short time.

“I am sure your donations will not only help those who are directly affected by cancer in the future but also their family and friends, who also suffer as a consequence of this terrible disease.”

Holding a fundraising night in April and taking part in a Tough Mudder challenge in May helped Jason and his team reach their £5,000 target.

The fundraising night at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute was attended by 150 people, including Leigh Centurions stars Micky Higham, Jamie Acton and Liam Hood and club CEO Matthew Chantler.

The Centurions also arranged for a special auction prize of an executive box for 10 people for their home game against Workington, which raised more than £600 on the night.