A fund set up for groundbreaking medical treatment for a former New Quay footballer stricken with a brain tumour has raised over £11,000 in just one week.

Mark Thompson, a previously fit and healthy dad-of-three now living in Sussex, received the shattering diagnosis two months ago.

His distraught family are now endeavouring to raise £40,000 for medical treatment in Germany.

As well as being a talented footballer, the 33-year-old formerly played pool for the Black Lion in New Quay and The Ffostrasol Inn - he also played snooker at a club in Rhydlewis where he lived as a small boy

Mark’s diagnosis is the latest blow to befall his family.

He lost his father, John, to pancreatic cancer last year while his mum, Jill Evans, landlady of the Synod Inn, is currently battling breast cancer months after the 500-year-old pub was badly damaged after a car ploughed into it.

In a Facebook post, Mark’s brother, Jamie Kendall, wrote: “We have received so many kind words, suggestions, tips, ideas, and love on top of all the generous donations that we are completely overwhelmed.”

Jamie added: “Obviously this news was a devastating blow to our family as Mark is the glue that keeps us all together. He is easily the kindest, most generous, hardest-working person we all know.”

Mark’s sister, Sally Gruber, told the Cambrian News that her brother was proceeding “full steam ahead” with a special diet to aid his treatment.

“He’s cut out all processed foods,” she added. “He says he’s going to beat this thing – he’s very, very determined.”

A GoFundMe page set up by another of Mark’s brothers, Ed Kendall, has already raised £11,300.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now