Groom loses battle against rare cancer

A brave Kidderminster man has died after a seven-month battle with a rare form of cancer - ending hopes that he could be saved by "revolutionary" treatment abroad.

Paul Grubb, aged 36, was diagnosed with the disease only a month after marrying the "love of his life", Magda in June. Despite doctors only giving him weeks to live, the clerical worker kept on fighting the cancer, and friends launched a campaign to pay for treatment in Germany.

But Mr Grubb died peacefully at his home in Baxter Gardens last Tuesday after his condition deteriorated.

His friend, Deana Jones-McClaren, said today: "He fought right up to the end and he never gave up.

"He was a really genuinely nice person and everyone will remember him for his smile."

Mr Grubb, who had advanced cholangiocarcinoma, had hoped to travel abroad for The Gorter Model of treatment, which combines traditional cancer therapy with a new treatment that tries to build up the immune system.

He had already been given a two-month course at Medical Center Cologne, which he paid for by taking out a £10,000 loan.

He returned home after Christmas and appeared in the Express & Star just three weeks ago expressing hope that he would be able to go back. At the time his wife Magda, aged 25, said:

"We think the treatment was helping him but we ran out of money so we had to come home."

Mrs Jones-McClaren said the couple had looked into ways of receiving the treatment in London but had no success.

"He started to fade after that," she added. Friends generated £3,000 from discos, quizzes and pool tournaments.

"We're so grateful to everyone who helped," added Mrs Jones-McClaren.

Mr and Mrs Grubb got "married" for a second time in July at a fake Las Vegas-style ceremony in Blackpool.

A funeral service will be held at St Mary's Church in Kidderminster on Friday at 10am before cremation at Stourbridge Crematorium. A wake will then take place at the Gainsborough House Hotel, Bewdley Hill.