IT was an image that captured the moment and the imagination.

Women of all ages and abilities striving through endurance, using their energy and determination to complete a challenging course.

Waist deep in mud, it was Rais Hasan's image of a participant in last year's Total Warrior charity challenge at Bramham Park, Leeds, which catapulted him into the spotlight as a snapper whose images were something to see.

Subsequent awards and recognition from the Disabled Photographer's Society have secured Rais' place in an industry he discovered through his recovery from a brain tumour.

Waking up in a hospital bed was the moment that changed Rais' life forever. He recalls having had no previous symptoms of illness. Investigations only began after he collapsed at his Shipley home and the discovery of a malignant brain tumour was the beginning of an emotional and traumatic journey which would literally leave Rais' life on the line.

If he made it through the operation there was a risk of paralysis - fortunately he wasn't paralysed but Rais did lose ability to read or write resulting in him spending the following two years retraining the right side of his brain to trigger the skills we learn in childhood and rely on throughout our lives.

“I had to retrain the right side of my brain because that is where the operation took place and that is where your memory and your retention is. I had to learn ABC because everything just disappeared. I couldn’t understand numbers,” recalls Rais.

Before suffering from a brain tumour the 62-year-old father-of-two was leading a normal life working as a team leader for Bradford Council's youth service. His role involved working with the Government, the European Union on youth and as an adviser with the Prince's Trust for Yorkshire.

Confined to his home while he recovered from his treatment, Rais wanted something to do and discovered his flair for photography.

The gift of a compact camera for his birthday triggered his interest and he was soon snapping photographs around his home.

“I was housebound and hadn’t really had an interest before, but I couldn’t do anything or talk to anybody. On my birthday I was given a little compact camera and I started taking photographs in the house. It developed from there,” explains Rais.

Rais would take his camera on the short walks he took outdoors with his wife and family by his side to aid his recuperation.

“From working with the Prince’s Trust and also the Council for many years and then not having the ability to talk or understand anybody, it was a really hard time – but there was a lot of help from family and friends and the hospital staff were phenomenal,” says Rais.

In 2007, the year after Rais suffered his brain tumour, he became involved with the Bingley charity BTRS (Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire), formerly Andrea’s Gift which was initially set up in memory of Bradford mum Andrea Key.

He discovered BTRS while attending his radiotherapy sessions and meetings in Leeds.

Rais began taking photographs at the charity’s events and also joined Bradford Photographic Society. Last year he made it into the Society's history books with his appointment as its first Asian president. He is also believed to be the first Asian president of any photographic society in the UK.

Since joining the organisation Rais' images have continued to make an impression. The first year he joined he clinched the Print Of The Year award and also won the Monochrome pictorial trophy of the year.

His Total Warrior image, one of hundreds of shots he took at the 10k event, won the Telegraph & Argus Camera Club's monthly competition in September entitled "Action."

Explaining his snapping skills, Rais says: "I wait for the right moment. You are thinking two steps ahead and then you are clicking away as soon as you see it but you have to have the camera set perfectly. Everything has to be absolutely perfect before you think about clicking the button."

The difficulty for Rais is choosing the best shot from his selection which he says can be time consuming. "I restrict myself to take 200, maximum 300, and just go for the best shot."

For Rais, photography has been a therapy which, along with the support of his family, friends and medical staff, has helped him restore the normality in his life. “It worked for me because I started taking photos and I was in isolation really, but was engaging with something in the house, then I started taking photos of other near things like Northcliffe Park,” says Rais.

It is 11 years since Rais' life as he knew it changed forever, but it has proved to be a positive outcome and has introduced him to the creative flair and love of photography that he wouldn't have otherwise found.

"It is a discovery because I keep thinking as a human being everybody has some inner talent which sometimes they don't even consider. It is there and it is just challenges that trigger it and suddenly you find out that you love it," says Rais, whose work has also been recognised in the International Salon photographic awards.

His experience should inspire those whose lives are changed by challenges, such as health issues.

Says Rais: "Every day counts in your life. Choose something that excites you, generates interest and focuses your mind and attention."

In recognition of his work, and support for the charity, BTRS nominated Rais for the Inspirational Individual award in the Yorkshire Choice Awards on April 13.

Sorrell Coulson, BTRS events and fundraising manager, says: "Where do I begin when it comes to Rais? Not only is he a complete inspiration whose positivity and enthusiasm lights up any room he is in, but his continued support of BTRS has been incredible."

"When it comes to Inspirational Individuals, the BTRS team were all in total agreement that Rais needed to be on the shortlist. He has battled through some incredibly difficult times following his brain tumour diagnosis and has successfully rebuilt his life with the support of his loving family. He has shown real strength at times when others may have given up and has gone on to become an award winning photographer!"

BTRS are seeking participants for year's Total Warrior event at Bramham Park, Leeds on Saturday June 23 and 24. Visit btrs.org.uk/totalwarrior or contact the fundraising team on 0113 340 0111 (option 1).