City families of children with cancer will get support from a new project launched in memory of a five-year-old who died due to a rare brain tumour.

Finnbar Cork, from Hethersett, was diagnosed with a grade two diffuse astrocytoma in February 2016 after he began having dizzy spells the year before.

The Woodside Infant School pupil received treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Despite intensive chemotherapy, Finnbar died on August 5, 2016.

Norwich Evening News: Finnbar Cork died from a rare brain tumour on August 5, 2016, aged just five years oldFinnbar Cork died from a rare brain tumour on August 5, 2016, aged just five years old (Image: Tristan Cork)

In the years since his death, Finnbar's dad, Tristan, set up a charity in his son's name - Finnbar's Force.

It has supported families with children that have a cancer diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis, with both emotional and financial support and has donated almost £60,000 to research projects that specialise in brain tumours in children.

Recently the charity raised £13,000 from its first Little Fox ball at Dunston Hall last month.

Now a new support hub has opened called The Den, in Eaton, which looks to take the next step in helping families dealing with similarly devastating news.

Mr Cork, 42, said: "We want The Den to be a place where families can come to have a relaxed chat, in an environment that doesn't feel clinical, but homely and safe.

"When you go through something as devastating as we - and many other families - go through, your whole world crashes in on itself.

Norwich Evening News: Tristan Cork, right, Finnbar's Force charity founder, cuts the ribbon to open The Den in Eaton. With him are Sophie Cooke-Shaw, right, trustee and volunteer; and Louise Gibbs Kneller, left, supporter, with business supporters Tristan Cork, right, Finnbar's Force charity founder, cuts the ribbon to open The Den in Eaton. With him are Sophie Cooke-Shaw, right, trustee and volunteer; and Louise Gibbs Kneller, left, supporter, with business supporters (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: The Den family support centre in Eaton has been opened by the charity Finnbar's Force The Den family support centre in Eaton has been opened by the charity Finnbar's Force (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

"I was so overwhelmed by emotion along with trying to process everything and still juggle everyday things which can be tough at the best of times - it's just an immediate sense of grief.

"It puts you in a massively vulnerable place and in our experience it took a while to feel like we were getting the support we needed.

"So it's a place people can go to talk to someone and either make sense of things or be pointed in the right direction of where they could get help.

"However we want to do things that can't be done by bigger organisations and help take the weight off people's shoulders.

Norwich Evening News: Tristan Cork, second left, Finnbar's Force charity founder, at the opening of The Den, with his team. From left, Ash Cork, Jess Sharman; Dawn Lossau; Georgie Sutton; and Sophie Cooke-Shaw Tristan Cork, second left, Finnbar's Force charity founder, at the opening of The Den, with his team. From left, Ash Cork, Jess Sharman; Dawn Lossau; Georgie Sutton; and Sophie Cooke-Shaw (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: The Den family support centre in Eaton The Den family support centre in Eaton (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

"Whether that's providing transport, getting shopping, walking the dog or cutting the grass - any general jobs which can alleviate the added stress while having a sick child.

"In the future we hope to get some support workers set up to work with families at their homes or at The Den."

READ MORE: D-Day veteran celebrates milestone days after receiving liberation medal

Mr Cork already knows what it's like to go through the whirlwind of trying to juggle everyday jobs while dealing with disastrous news - which has shaped his future.

He added: "The driving force behind all of this is Finnbar.

Norwich Evening News: Tristan Cork, Finnbar's Force charity founder, and Sophie Cooke-Shaw, trustee and volunteer, at the opening of The Den at Eaton Tristan Cork, Finnbar's Force charity founder, and Sophie Cooke-Shaw, trustee and volunteer, at the opening of The Den at Eaton (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

"When he became poorly things escalated very quickly and medical professionals weren't sure what they were dealing with at first.

"The uncertainty of it all was very difficult to deal with and before we knew it, Finnbar's health deteriorated rapidly.

"We almost didn't have time to process it - it was just getting thrust from one moment to the next."

READ MORE: Forest school vow to restore 'high standards' after one-star hygiene rating

Mr Cork received the keys to the building in the middle of February and celebrated its grand opening yesterday.

He added: "It was a really good day and it's so exciting to finally have the place open.

Norwich Evening News: Last month the Little Fox Charity Ball was held at Dunston Hall in aid of Finnbar's ForceLast month the Little Fox Charity Ball was held at Dunston Hall in aid of Finnbar's Force (Image: Finnbar's Force)

"We spent a lot of time getting everything right and it feels so good to get started and help as many families as possible."

The Den is currently open every Wednesday from 9.30am to 2pm but the hope is to expand to three days a week in the future.

Families can contact The Den either via finnbarsforce.org or 01603 213833.