A local man is raising money to produce a book in order to bring joy to those who are suffering.

Shahriar Nazemi was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in February 2020 and had an operation March 23 2020 to remove the cancer from his body.

Mr Nazemi's recovery was spent alone and without support from friends and family due to lockdown.

"Whilst I was in hospital and waiting, the only thing I would ever see were doom and gloom pamphlets on cancer.

"It was really demoralising and I thought why isn't there anything positive or proactive or optimistic in this ward?"

He found himself inspired to offer something different, something that would nourish people who were struggling.

One evening, at home, he began thinking what his miniature short hair dachshund, Peewee McGruff would say if he could speak.

Nazemi felt he would say "love is all you need".

After brutal days of radiotherapy treatment he felt compelled to drawer and began creating colourful pictures of Peewee McGruff with inspirational slogans.

What started as a small project, where friends and family asked for pet portraits, turned into a rough book which Nazemi gave to his consultants, doctors and nurses.

Soon enough patients were asking where the book had come from and Nazemi decided to launch a JustGiving page.

He is asking people to make a contribution in exchange for a drawing of their favourite furry friends.

However, many donors have now said they would rather wait until the book is finished to receive the final copy.

Nazemi needs people's help as he wishes to create a book of 40 plus pages that can be donated to Mental Health UK and Macmillan Cancer.

With each donation he asks for a photo of your dog, if you have one, so that it can be included in the Happy Life Lessons book.

Since starting the page he has received over £1,000 in donations.

Nazemi said: "For those who are struggling, I would say, do not be afraid to ask for help.

"You will be surprised at the amount of people who do respond and are there for you.

"And to remember that when you go through something so traumatic and difficult, don't be judgemental about how people respond, it doesn't mean people don't care."

To make a donation to Nazemi's page click here.