A BAR manager who has battled two brain tumours is preparing to take on his next challenge.

Paul Hatton, who works at the Ivory Rooms, in Billericay, will be joined by 19 of his colleagues to take on 15 obstacles in a three-mile race called the Dirty Dash, in a bid to raise £2,000.

It is the latest fundraising challenge for Paul, 43, of Osborne Road, Basildon, who underwent major surgery to remove the tumour, which was the size of an egg, in 2008.

However, months later it had regrown and he had to go back into hospital for two months and then last year suffered a stroke and fit.

Despite his setbacks, Paul is looking forward to the event. He said: “I just won’t let anything beat me, I came so close on a couple of occasions to not being here. So the fact I am, means I want to do everything I can.”

Before his second tumour, he had already raised £1,200 by taking part in a charity boxing match for the Hammelin Trust, which supports disabled people.

He chose the Make a Wish foundation, which helps children aged three to 17 with life-threatening conditions to experience something they have always wanted to do, as it had helped someone he knows.

He said: “Make a Wish said thank you so much, but we think youmight be exceeding expectations with £2,000.

“But I will exceed £2,000.”

Paul has been supported by Billericay Lions, Inner Wheel and the Rotarians.

To sponsor the team for the Dirty Dash at Barleylands on Sunday, visit justgiving.com /theivoryrooms/