A POPULAR Southampton business man, who had an “avocado-sized” tumour removed from his brain, is raising money for a cancer trust.

Matt Conrad, owner and director of The Orange Rooms and partner in Oktoberfest Southampton, found out he had a brain tumour earlier this year.

A few weeks ago, a team of surgeons carried out awake, open brain surgery to remove the “avocado-sized” tumour.

Matt returned home and started taking medication for seizures, and eventually had the staples in his head taken out.

But a few weeks after surgery, the 41-year-old met with his oncologist who told him that he has an aggressive grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GMB) - a type of brain cancer.

Matt said: “I’m always going to have it, and it’s now part of my life.

“There’s the risk that tumours will come back as well as loads of other things so I may have to go through the same process again that has just happened, but I’ve done it once and comfortable with doing it again.”

In November he will start intensive radiotherapy for five days a week for six weeks.

Matt is also taking chemotherapy tablets and following this he will have six months of chemotherapy treatment.

He said: “I’m now slowly starting getting back my brain ticking and getting back to a bit of normality before November, when I’ll be a little slower, so as much as things will take me a little longer, I will be doing things, getting out there, bugging everyone and doing what I truly love to do - work on my businesses.

“My family is the most important thing and I’ll be spending loads of time with them.”

One of the things Matt will be taking part in this month is Oktoberfest Southampton this weekend.

With 5,000 people over three days expected to flock to the city, Matt jumped at the chance to help raise money for Wessex Cancer Trust.

“While I was in hospital, each day I was treated and supported by an absolutely incredible team of consultants, fellows, surgeons, registrars, specialist nurses, nurses, radio therapists, occupational therapists, physios, so many others right through to all the incredible volunteers.

"Each day I walked past the Children’s Cancer Unit and saw so many incredible inspirational children going through so much,” he said.

“Keeping my emotions together was tough.

“Every time I saw them I thought: ‘Anything could happen to be if it meant these kids didn’t have to go through this treatment. Anything’.”

The Oktoberfest team are asking for visitors to donate to their JustGiving page and are hoping to raise £10,000 over the weekend.

Heidi Rehman, of Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “Cancer affects so many of us so we’re thrilled to be working with Oktoberfest to raise awareness of the importance of supporting people through their cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.”

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oktoberfest-southampton.