A THRONG of more than 50 people joined a brain tumour survivor in a walk along Bournemouth prom to stand up to discrimination.

Chandy Green had posted on social media about his experience of being laughed at in public because of the way he walks.

He has recovered from surgery for several brain tumours, the first when he was aged three.

His experience of abuse prompted Southbourne businessman Gordon Fong to organise Stand With the Chand, a walk along the seafront from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier in solidarity.

Mr Fong said the support had been “fantastic”.

“People have really cottoned on to something that they could all take part in and support,” he said.

“With somebody from your own community, who’s faced adversity with multiple tumours courageously, you think he shouldn’t have to put up with abuse for the way he walks and everything else.

“We have to support Chandy and his mental health because he’s a campaigner and he’s one who’s going to go forward and campaign more. We’re temporary but we’re here for him.”

Chandy Green, who speaks to schools and universities about disability discrimination, said the support since he posted on social media had been “amazing”.

Other people had shared their own experience of discrimination, over disability or other issues, he said.

”After sharing my story, other people have opened up and the response has been heart-warming and eye-opening,” he said.

“It started off as being about disability discrimination but after hearing other people’s experience, it’s amazing. They feel comfortable with me to share that with other people.”

He said he was “still struggling with my mental health” but the support had helped.

Lee Taylor, marketing and business development director with law firm Steele Raymond, said: “I’ve known Chandy for a number of years and fully support the wonderful things he does in education for mental health and disability discrimination.

“What’s happened to him over the last few weeks and months is shocking and it’s something we don’t want to see happening in our community.”

Many of the walkers were members of the You Are the Media business community locally.

Its founder, Mark Masters, said “everyone had come together” to support a member of their community.

He cited the adage attributed to Theodore Roosevelt: “'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

He added: "We’re not just in this together. We’re stronger because we are together."