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When Chris Murray woke one morning in January to find half his face paralysed, he thought he had suffered a stroke in his sleep.

So the 31-year-old was relieved when doctors told him it was probably Bell's palsy, a condition he was told could clear up in a matter of weeks.

But when the Newtownards man returned to hospital a few short weeks later, doctors broke the devastating news that a scan had revealed he had a rare brain cancer.

In a matter of days Chris was flying to London so experts at Kings College Hospital could operate in a bid to save his life.

Now, after 40 days of radiotherapy, Chris - who is a training officer with charity The Conservation Volunteers - is sharing his experience and wants to recruit people to help him plant trees and learn about environmental conservation.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Chris said he wanted to make the most of his time and help others after his own brush with death.

"In a society that gave me more than a second chance I will lift all weights to remove barriers for anyone willing to give me their time to make a real difference," he said.

Chris, a former pupil at Strangford Integrated College , said he went to bed one night in early January and woke to find half his face paralysed.

"I thought I had had a stroke but when I went to hospital they said it happens to a lot of people and they thought it was Bell's palsy," he said.

"I had an MRI scan and went home and a few weeks later my face started to go back to normal so I thought it had been Bell's palsy. Then when I went to the Royal I walked into a room of doctors looking very solemn and I just thought, 'Oh no, this is going to be something completely shocking', but I didn't think it was going to be as bad."

Chris was told he had a neuroendocrine tumour, a rare tumour that can develop in many different organs of the body but doctors told him it was rare for it to be in the brain.

At the end of January, Chris flew to London for the operation which lasted 12 hours and took place on January 25. He then spent three weeks in London recovering, but medics were surprised by his relatively speedy recovery.

He then embarked on 40 days of radiotherapy at the cancer unit at Belfast City Hospital.

"It was a long time in London," said Chris.

"They expected me not to be able to walk or talk after the operation. Thankfully I am exactly the same because I must have had an angel watching over me."

Chris praised the hospital for assisting with his transport during the intensive radiotherapy course as following his surgery he was unable to drive for six months.

He finished his treatment just over a month ago and was given the good news that he will not have to be seen again for another six months for a check-up.

Chris returned to work this week for The Conservation Volunteers and is hoping to use his experience to get others to help him plant some trees.

"Being able to come back to work, it has lifted me," he said.

"People think if you are off it must be great but after two weeks I didn't find it great sitting about the house.

"It is great to have a reason to get up and about. In my work I primarily help people help themselves and help the environment. It is great to be back."

He added: "Today I am sitting back in work feeling strong and healthy but very aware that 6 months from now is unwritten and we are all in that boat.

"I am looking for anyone with a heartbeat to come and help me plant trees and receive free training in many different aspects of Environmental Conservation as well as specific qualifications tailored for unemployed people."

To get in touch with Chris to find out more email him on C.murray@TCV.org.uk or visit the charity website by clicking here .

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