FRIENDS and family of a popular businessman who died just 10 days after being diagnosed with leukaemia are set to get muddy with their canine companions to raise £5k for charity in his memory.

Spencer Digby, who lived in Shenstone, near Kidderminster, died last October, aged just 44, days after his shock diagnosis.

Fifteen of dog-lover Spencer's friends and family, along with their canine companions are taking part in a 5km Muddy Dog Challenge in Cheltenham on Saturday June 1, to raise funds for the Leukaemia Cancer Society.

They have set up a Just Giving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/spenniesboysandgirls - and have already raised more than £2k from kindhearted supporters as a tribute to the much-loved son and brother.

Friend Donna Hipkiss said Spencer, who ran Spencer Signs in Halesowen, was a popular figure around the town.

It would have been his 45th birthday on June 6.

Donna said: "Everyone knew of Spencer Digby as he happily drove around Halesowen in his van with his four dogs making Halesowen businesses look great with his amazing skill of designing and making signs.

"Those that knew him and that was a lot of people in and around Halesowen, still are in shock that he has gone and are still coming to terms with his death.

"He absolutely loved dogs - he had four dogs and they were his world."

Donna said Spencer, who was health conscious, watching what he ate and going to the gym every day, as well as regularly walking his dogs, had been feeling under the weather for around a month.

His doctor sent him to the hospital for a blood test and he was given the devastating news he had leukaemia the same day.

He died just ten days later, on October 13, 2018. 

Spencer's brother Darren Digby, of Digby Stone, and six staff are carrying on the business Spencer Signs, which is one of the sponsors of Halesowen Football Club.

Spencer's beloved dog Oak will be taking part in the fundraiser - a 5km muddy obstacle run - along with Spencer's sister-in-law Claire Digby. His mum Ann Digby will be there supporting those taking part.

All four of Spencer's dogs have been rehomed with friends and family.