MARTIN Sears faced the biggest battle of his young life when he was diagnosed with cancer five years ago.

Since then he has undergone major surgery, months of chemotherapy, learned to walk again, passed three A-levels and is now in the second year of an animation degree course at Westminster University.

From November 2 Martin's extraordinary talent will be showcased at the Fovea Gallery, in Vaughan Road, West Harrow, as part of the Harrow Times campaign, Caring for Kids in aid of CLIC Sargent.

Local artists have donated their work which will be sold to the highest bidder in a silent auction and all money raised will go to the children's cancer charity.

Debbie De Beer, owner of the gallery, said: "His work is amazing and the paintings he has done both in the past when he was younger and more recently are very good.

"I would be wowed however it had come to me. He is incredibly real and very unworried about appearances."

Finding the Edges, Martin's body of work, is a collection of work influenced by artists such as Picasso, Braque and Boccioni.

Martin said: "This will be the first time I have exhibited several paintings together in a show.

"It has always been an ambition of mine, but this came about as a way to raise awareness and money for Chris Henry, a specialist orthopaedic and oncology nurse at the RNOH in Stanmore, who helped me a lot when I was ill, and for the charity which funds her."

For more information about the exhibition call 020 8357 2924 or visit www.foveagallery.co.uk.

l To help young people like Martin please make cheques payable to CLIC Sargent and send them to CLIC Sargent Appeal, Harrow Times, Caxton Court, Caxton Way, Watford, Herts, WD18 8RJ.

sanand@london.newsquest.co.uk