HUNDREDS of people are expected to attend the funeral of a Bishop's Waltham dad who died after a fight against a brain tumour.

Father-of-three Ricky Smith, who was 39 when he died, was diagnosed with a grade four butterfly glioblastoma – a fast-growing and aggressive variety of cancer.

In March, Ricky was given 15 months to live. He made it just five.

Today, August 23, Ricky's funeral will be held in St Peter's Church in Bishop's Waltham at 3pm. 

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Ricky with two of his three children (Image: Contributed)

A fundraiser was launched to raise money for the treatment of astroblastomas. So far more than £100,000 has been raised.

Ricky was born and grew up in the Southampton area, moving to Maidstone, Kent, with his family when he was 32.

Initially, Ricky carried on his work as a groundworker despite headaches, but when it became overwhelming he was forced to take time off work.

In a last-ditch to find out what was happening, his fiancée Katrina Binfield, 41, booked an optician’s appointment on March 11 – thinking that he may have needed glasses.

During the appointment, blood was found behind his eyes and he was rushed to the hospital where he underwent a CTG scan, revealing the tumour.

After Ricky's death, his brother Aaron released the following message on Facebook: "You fought hard and didn’t go easily my bro. I will always be proud of the way you kept your dignity and strength throughout this battle.

"We are heartbroken and life will never be the same without you, but I am honoured to have had you as my brother."

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Ricky in hospital (Image: Contributed)

St Peter's Church addressed the public in a statement: "The family are expecting up to 650 attendees and we are setting up speakers outside Church so that everyone can hear the service.

"The funeral cortège will be walking up to Hoe Road cemetery straight afterwards and then on to the Hunters Inn in Swanmore for the Celebration of Life.

"There will doubtless be traffic congestion in the village and surrounding areas so please plan ahead."