A CHARITY leader and keen photographer who is battling a brain tumour has vowed to keep a date for his cousin’s marriage in September.

The family of Jay Lynchehaun, 27, who founded In Between Ears after discovering he had a terminal condition last year, has rallied behind the former Nelson mechanic.

His cousin Nikki Evans, 20, is in training for the Great Manchester 10km run to support the fledgling charity.

And for his part keen lensman Jay has promised he will be there to capture the big day of Nikki’s brother Chris, when he marries his sweetheart Laura Ridley.

Jay was a top mechanic at Citroen in Nelson when he started having unexplained ‘bumps’ in his car.

He said: “I was a really good driver but I kept bumping the car in car parks and I started arguing with my girlfriend, which was unlike me.

“The doctor gave me tablets for stress but I knew it was not that, I knew it was physical.”

One day in October 2011 he collapsed suddenly and was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since then he has put all his efforts into making In Between Ears a success, after struggling with existing support groups on offer.

Jay said: “I’m really into my photography and I’ve done a college course. Laura saw my work and liked it so she’s asked me to do her wedding photos which I’m very pleased about.”

Fashion store worker Nikki said: “You would not know anything was wrong with Jay when you meet him. He’s funny and always seems happy.

“He’s set up the charity by himself with some help from his sister and mum and it had its launch very recently.”

Together with his family Jay, of Kingsway, Great Harwood, has already raised £3,350 from a fundraiser at Blackburn Rovers and a zumbathon.