The family of a Wisbech restaurant owner who died shortly after a diagnosis of early-onset dementia are appealing for support to buy a headstone for his grave. 

Hatytham Affitou was in the early stages of secondary school when his father Mustafa Affitou was diagnosed with the disease at just 62-years-old. 

To help his family afford a headstone for his grave, Haytham has set up a crowdfunding page in a bid to raise £2,500. 

Haytham, 18, and from Peterborough, said his father, founder and owner of popular Wisbech pizza restaurant Bella Mosty Pizza, died the day after his mother's birthday and just two months before his 18th birthday. 

He said: "I was in Year 8 when he was first diagnosed and it came as a shock as no one has any health conditions in our family and dad had always been a healthy, strong man. 

"He was your stereotypical kind of dad and an incredibly independent man having owned his own business for almost 30 years. 

"It's easy to think of dementia and Alzheimer's as an elderly person's disease and I don't think we realised at the time just how quickly he would change." 

Mustafa's condition dramatically worsened in the year following his diagnosis and once the pandemic hit in 2020, his condition gradually worsened. 

Haytham explains that at first symptoms included forgetfulness before his mother was forced to take on the responsibility of becoming his full time carer. 

He said: "My mum became his full-time carer as well as being mum to two children and took on all responsibility, neglecting her own health to look after others.

"When the pandemic hit, this meant that we all had to stay home and this made life very difficult for everyone. It meant that my dad was never able to go back to Morocco to see his family as in the end he became too unwell.

"I remember feeling a sense of denial when he first started to become unwell. With the forgetfulness I would convince myself it was something we all fell victim but as I became older I realised how serious his condition had become." 

Mustafa died in November last year with the funeral held just two days later in accordance with Islamic tradition. 

Haytham said his family wanted to purchase a headstone to commemorate his father but were unable to due to the sheer cost. 

He said: "Funeral costs aren't really something you think about until the moment it hits you and we were shocked at how expensive a headstone is. 

"We wanted to set up this crowdfunding campaign in the hope that in time we can give our dad the proper recognition he deserves." 

You can donate to Haytham's family by visiting his crowdfunding page.