TWO youngsters who lost their beloved grandad to prostate cancer earlier this year are supporting a local charity to help other sufferers and their families.

Mia and Jack Rhodes decided to raise funds for the Chestnut Appeal after their grandad, Peter Belsher, died in July. The Saltash siblings, aged eight and six, set up a stall selling loom bands and cookies, calculating that they would make £49 by the end of the summer holidays.

Their fundraising target has now reached £155 and counting, as friends and family have pitched in by making donations and doing ice bucket challenges.

'At the end of July, we lost our precious dad to prostate cancer,' said Tracey Rhodes.

'Through these sad months many things have helped all of us to try to cope with this unimaginable loss.

'What has made me the proudest mum in the world is how my two children have coped with losing their grandad. They came up with the idea of raising money for 'Grandad Pete's charity' by setting up a stall at the end of their other grandparents' driveway.'

Tracey wants to get the message out to as many men as possible that early diagnosis is vital.

'Unfortunately, when my dad was diagnosed some four years ago, his cancer had branched out of the prostate,' she said.

'My mission is to prevent this sadness for as many others as possible. Awareness is key – what is worrying is that less than 20 per cent of men know where their prostate is.'

Peter was 'Saltash born and bred' says Tracey and was well known by many people in the town as a builder, painter and decorator.

'There are so many houses I walk past in the town and think dad painted that, dad built that extension or replaced that roof. He was well respected and really did enjoy his work,' she added.

Staff at the Chestnut Appeal said they were touched to receive a handwritten letter from Mia and Jack, telling them of the fundraising idea.

The charity is based at Derriford Hospital and, as well as supporting sufferers of prostate cancer and their families, it campaigns to raise awareness and funds for new equipment.