A CHARITY ball inspired by a young Dorset man’s battle with bowel cancer has raised over £4,000.

Andrew Drake, who lives in Buckland Newton, was diagnosed with the disease last year at the age of just 24.

After tackling his cancer, Andrew is now trying to raise awareness of the condition among young people.

With family and friends he set up the Ducks and Drakes Trust, holding a number of events to raise funds for special cushions for patients recovering from bowel cancer operations and get his message across.

The latest event saw over 120 people attend a glamorous ball at Athelhampton House, near Puddletown.

The ball included a raffle and auction to help raise funds, while local band Ansell and Gretel provided musical entertainment free of charges.

Andrew, now 25, was an active young man who played rugby for Dorchester RFC when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer last August.

He said: “It was a hell of a shock.

“They reckoned it was something genetic I’d had ever since birth but I never really had any problems up until I was about 22.

“When you think of bowel cancer you think of it as something that happens to people aged 50 and upwards.”

Andrew was inundated with offers of support after coming out of hospital and his mum Annette set up the Ducks and Drakes Trust.

Andrew’s sister Becky along with Charlie Teare, Jo Eastment and Hayley McLaren have been organising events and producing posters to put up at rugby clubs and colleges to make young people aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer.

Andrew said: “People wanted to donate money to me and I thought I’m not a charity, I’d rather set up a trust and put the money to good use.

“There was nothing really in terms of information for people my sort of age, it was all for people aged 50 plus.

“I just want to raise as much awareness as possible.”

Andrew has successfully undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is hoping to get back to playing his beloved rugby in the future.

He said: “Sometimes I’m told I’m doing a bit too much but I’m fit and healthy and I’m hoping to get back to work again soon.”

Charlie said: “Andrew has been a real inspiration with the way he’s dealt with it, he’s been completely positive.

“A lot of people can learn a lot from him.”

Andrew also has a wedding to look forward to after becoming engaged to partner Rachel Sowerby in April, with the couple due to tie the knot in September 2012.