A FATHER-OF-TWO who lost his wife after a long battle with cancer has donated more than £2,000 to district nurses in Machynlleth and Bronglais Hospital.

Steve Evans, 41, said it has been “really, really tough” for him and his children, Thomas, 14, and Leah, 11, after the family lost their wife and mother, Julia, 45, following a four-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer.

Julia was diagnosed with cancer in May 2011, and following an operation and chemotherapy treatment, she was told the cancer was in remission. But in March 2012, she was told the cancer had returned and sadly lost her battle with the disease six months ago.

“My wife passed away with cancer six months ago,” said Mr Evans, who lives in Corris with Thomas and Leah. “It has been really, really tough, and I have two young kids who have lost their mother.”

To make matters worse, Mr Evans has been off work for three years after an accident in which he was severely injured.

But amid their heartache and misfortune, the family have had time to thank those who cared for Julia in the last years of her life after raising more than £2,000 at her funeral, with the money to be shared between Machynlleth District Nurses and Bronglais Hospital’s oncology department.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday