The family and friends of a Mansfield man who lost his brave year-long fight against cancer in June are determined to continue his fundraising and awareness campaign.

The Rock Zone Foundation supports other people with cancer and focuses on the fight and not the fright of the disease, aiming to be the ‘rock’ for people who need it most.

It was set up by Dave and Lisa Charles after Dave was diagnosed with a brain tumour — a progressive right temporal glioblastoma — in June 2020.

Sadly Dave, 51, lost his battle with the cancer a year later, but Lisa said: “We’re going to continue Dave’s legacy through the Rock Zone Foundation, supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honouring the taken and never, ever giving up hope.

“Through Dave’s charity work and his heartbreaking story, we hope to help other people who are affected by cancer.

“We raise awareness and I say this as loud as I can. If you feel something is wrong or not right with your body, get checked. Don’t be afraid or leave it too late. You know your own body more than anyone.

“As a family, we are heartbroken and trying to come to terms with losing Dave, but his strength through his cancer battle is the inspiration that keeps us going.”

A new fundraising campaign for the Rock Zone Foundation has been launched and has already raised more than £2,000 towards its £5,000 target.

Lisa added: “We are so grateful for anything you can donate to help give other cancer patients the super power to fight against cancer.”

If you are able to donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachael-richardson-2021

“Every little really does help, and together we can make a real difference,” said Lisa.

Dave was a loving dad, devoted husband and a treasured friend who has done so much for people over his 51 years, including raising thousands for cancer charities himself.

He underwent surgery and aggressive treatment after his diagnosis and in November was excited to ring a bell in hospital to celebrate the end of his radiotherapy, but unfortunately not the end of the tumour.

After many rounds of chemotherapy, sadly it stopped working, Dave’s health and mobility deteriorated and he was confined to his bed, faced with the fact that nothing more could be done to treat him.

It was heartbreaking for family and friends to watch Dave, a larger-than-life, fit and healthy dad and husband, be overcome by cancer, but they were given some hope when he had a chance to undergo potentially life-saving treatment as part of a research study in Texas at a cost of £200,000.

The crucial research project could have saved Dave’s life and after this positive news his family set up a JustGiving fundraising page in the hope to start raising funds for his treatment.

Sadly, Dave lost his battle with cancer before the fundraising campaign could begin.

Before Dave’s diagnosis, he was a well-known tattoo artist in Derby with a passion for rock music. Over the years he had collected a huge range of rock memorabilia and he decided to start selling his collection to raise funds directly for local cancer patients.

He set up the Rock Zone Foundation and sold items all over the world for his cause.

Now the foundation aims to continue his work with the new fundraising campaign.

Go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachael-richardson-2021 if you can help.