A POOLE father of two living with terminal cancer has created wooden reindeer to fundraise for a local charity.

Keith Evans, 76, was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer in September last year.

He underwent palliative chemotherapy between October and January this year to slow down the rate of the cancer spreading.

During this time Keith has been working closely with Dorset Cancer Care Foundation to raise money.

DCCF supports cancer patients financially to pay for transport to and from hospital treatment, bills, and accommodation costs.

He said: “The chemo caused my cancer to ‘go to sleep’ for a while but a scan in July showed it had woken up again.

“My oncologist talked me through the effects of a second round of chemo, but this would have made me quite poorly, so I chose not to accept it.”

Keith started making rural wooden reindeer last Christmas.

“I am a very positive person, so I decided just to get on with my life while I am able. I became aware of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) in 2010 when it was launched.

“I thought it was a fantastic charity helping the people of Dorset and I have supported it ever since.”

He added: “They were originally for my family, friends, and my oncologist.

“Then a friend saw them and asked if I’d make some for her charity coffee morning for DCCF.”

“The only items I need to buy are their noses, eyes, and some glue. So, all money taken on sales goes to the charity,” he added.

“I have made 33 reindeer this year for sale at the DCCF’s festive events. I hope that people buy them and enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.”

Speaking about the reindeer that Keith made, Eve Went, the co-founder of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation said: “I fell in love with Keith’s reindeer as soon as I saw them, and we are all so grateful that he has decided to make them for the charity.

“Keith is a wonderful man with a positive outlook on life and a hugely supportive family.

“It’s lovely that his creations are spreading joy and helping us to raise funds to help many local families facing real hardships because of cancer.”