A FATHER-OF-TWO who is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumour is urging people in York to support Macmillan Cancer Support this Christmas.

Frank Clarke, who lives off Bishopthorpe Road, with his wife, Clare, and their two children, Flo, seven, and Annabel, five, was diagnosed with the disease in April, two days after his 40th birthday.

He first knew something was wrong when he had a seizure while watching television, and couldn’t move his arm or speak.

At first doctors thought Frank had suffered a stroke, but after a second seizure, his consultant at York Hospital decided to refer him to the spinal and head injuries department at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Frank, who enjoyed climbing and kayaking before his illness, said: “At Hull I sat down on the bed with my wife and kids and the consultant asked me if I knew why I was here.

“I said ‘for more tests’ and he said, ‘no more tests, you’ve got a brain tumour’. It was a bit of a shock.”

Within days he underwent a seven-hour operation to remove the tumour – which was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.

Frank, who was made redundant from his job as a development director shortly before his diagnosis, said the support his family had received from Macmillan was fantastic.

He said: “Macmillan helped us to fill in the Department of Work and Pension forms to make sure we got all the money we were entitled to.

“Clare was also able to call them up and use them as a source of support outside the family. They were a shoulder to cry on.”

To give something back, Frank has started volunteering in the charity’s York office once a week.

He is now encouraging work colleagues and school friends to help raise money for Macmillan by displaying one of the charity’s Be A Star posters, rather than sending Christmas cards.

Participants are invited to give a donation to the charity and write a message in one of the stars for everyone to see.

For a festive fundraising pack, phone Sally Millington on 01904 756404, or email smillington@macmillan.org.uk