FOR his birthday this year accounts manager Ted Hughes only wants one thing ­— to raise awareness and funds to beat cancer.

Mr Hughes, from Horwich, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in February after suffering from pains when swallowing, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

On August 9 he will be celebrating turning 60, and ahead of the milestone birthday his family have launched an appeal to raise awareness of the disease and funds for Cancer Research UK.

Their #RaiseAPint campaign is asking people to donate £3 ­—the price of Mr Hughes' favourite pint down the pub.

His daughter, Jessica Sneyd, who set up the appeal, said: "My dad is the best man I know and over the years has helped others raise thousands of pounds."

"This is a charity close to a lot of people's hearts and I think people wanted to support him back," she added.

"We also want to raise awareness, because oesophageal cancer is not very well known but is very aggressive."

The Bolton News: Ted Hughes and his daughter, Jessica Sneyd, her husband, James, and wife Anne-MarieTed Hughes and his daughter, Jessica Sneyd, her husband, James, and wife Anne-Marie

The family's appeal was launched this week and has already raised almost £5,000 ­— smashing its target of £500 in just one hour.

Mrs Sneyd said: "We are completely overwhelmed. We know it is hard at the moment that's why we are just asking for £3.

"We have been blown away by people's response and can't believe the numbers."

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/raiseapint