A father of three has set up his own charity after surviving facial cancer.

Dan Jackson was told in 2012 he had a rare form of the disease between his eye and nose, he had to have the eye removed as well as undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Now the 38-year-old has pledged to start his own charity to help people who are dealing with similar situations.

The new organisation, which will be called CancerNOW, is to offer help, advice and friendship to cancer sufferers as they are going through treatment.

Through crowdfunding, it will help people reach fundraising goals and offer practical advice from Mr Jackson’s experience with the disease.

It is inspired by the help he received from the Let’s Face It foundation in Westgate, which gives support to people with head and neck cancers.

As well as setting up his own support network, the Ramsgate resident will be appearing on a Channel 5 documentary called Me and My Face.

He will talk about the impact the disease has had on him and what he has done to try to turn it into a positive experience.

Mr Jackson was diagnosed with the disease on the same day his wife told him she was pregnant.

He believed he had a blocked tear duct after having a watery eye but was shocked to discover he had a tumour in 2012.

Two months after his final treatment he spoke to Thanet Extra.

Mr Jackson, who went through 20 surgical procedures, said: “Having facial cancer alters your identity in a profound and visual way.

“It changes the way you feel about yourself and changes how others look at you as well.

“There are various coping mechanisms to deal with that.

“I believe in friendship with others who have gone through something similar.

“People’s faces are destroyed by facial cancer. There are some amazing prosthesis but it is not the same as scar-free healing.”

He completed the Brighton Marathon in 2014 and raised funds for The Royal Marsden, which is where he was treated, along with other events including a 24-hour boat race in aid of Sail 4 Cancer, a charity which funds respite days.

In September Dan received the news he was cancer free.