WHEN Chris Goddard mysteriously began to lose his hearing at the age of 19, he was forced to give up his dream job in the army.

Chris, now 25, had been a member of the army cadets as a youngster and said joining the forces was something he had always planned to do.

But when he began to go deaf in his left ear and experience headaches, he had to change his plans.

The former Culcheth High student said: “Being in the army was something I had wanted to do all my life. So at the time it was a bit difficult. I suppose it’s one of those things.

“A year later they found out the hearing problems were because I had a brain tumour the size of an orange. It was quite a shock.”

Chris, who lives in Birchwood, underwent an 18 hour operation in 2012 at Aintree Hospital to remove the mass.

He said: “I think it affected my family more than me. I didn’t really understand at the time how serious it was. Being younger I think I was able to make a quick recovery. There’s only so much Olympics you can watch.”

The surgery has affected Chris’ sight, coordination and ability to smile but luckily he made a good recovery and the tumour was benign.

He now works as a roofer and is determined to help others facing similar illnesses.

He is planning a six day trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the New Year to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Chris said: “I have always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro and my dream is to climb Mount Everest one day.

“I have been into climbing since I was a kid and now I try to get out as often as I can with my friends.

“I’m a bit nervous, it’s the altitude that gets you. My mum is really supportive, she knows how crazy I am. I will be so proud of myself if I can do it.”

He sets off on Boxing Day and is hoping to raise more than £4,500 for good causes.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-goddard92.