A MILLOM man suffering from an inoperable brain tumour got the surprise of his life as friends and family worked all weekend on a secret DIY SOS project.

Glyn Robinson, of Fairfield Road, was whisked away for a relaxing trip with his wife, Polly, as some of his closest friends moved in for a major garden revamp.

The generosity of Millom was shown once again as the community rallied round to build the perfect getaway for the local rugby champion and retained firefighter.

Before and after shots of Glyn's garden makeover

Mr Robinson’s “man-cave” is now the envy of the town as the family’s home is transformed into a haven of relaxation.

Mr Robinson, 45, was astounded by the result and the care and commitment shown by the community.

He said: “I burst into tears – it still hasn’t sunk in.

“It’s just absolutely phenomenal. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. I woke up this morning and had to pinch myself.

“Now I can just relax and get myself better.”

Mr Robinson is undergoing intensive chemotherapy to treat his inoperable brain tumour, treatment that is proving greatly debilitating.

He said: “Because of my age and my fitness I’m on the most aggressive type of treatment which makes me tired all the time because it’s still in my system.

“Just simple things like making a cup of tea and climbing the stairs become a real chore.

“I put my socks on and go dizzy.”

A true Millom man born and bred, Mr Robinson is well known throughout the community having served with Bootle fire service and played rugby for both Millom and Barrow.

Around 50 people from across the area came out in force between Thursday and Sunday to transform the the family’s garden and give Mr Robinson a small escape.

The idea was hatched by some of Mr Robinson’s closest friends (Steven Rowe, Paul Roskell, Trevor Young, Dean Myers and Mark Bowman) who won the support of friends and strangers and many of the town’s businesses.

Firms such as Travis Perkins, Aggregate Industries, Williams Carpets, That Paint Shop, and Crooklands Garden Centre were just a few of the companies that donated materials to the project, in addition to Haverigg prisoners who gave up their allowances to donate a dog hut.

The family were deeply moved by the highly generous gesture, a quality they believe to be engrained in the people of Millom.

Mrs Robinson said: “Millom Rugby League Club had a fundraiser at Easter, Silecroft had a fundraiser on Father’s Day and the Rugby Union had a fundraiser as well. That’s three fundraisers for one person.

“You don’t get that anywhere else. You wouldn’t get that in Barrow but in Millom it’s pure love. You couldn’t get it anywhere else.”

Mr Robinson added: “It’s like Ready Brek – it warms you from the inside out. That’s how I feel be sure of how I’ve been supported.”