Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I thought you might like to know a little bit more about Dad and his life.

As many of you will know my father, Lyn James, passed away on 30th November 2009 after an 11 month long battle with Bowel Cancer.

Dad's story

Lyn was born in Mountain Ash, Wales on the 22nd October , 1946. The only child of the late, Lewis Alfred and Millicent James

He attended Darren Las primary school, Mount Grammar and then Swansea College of Education for his teacher training where he met Chris.

Lyn moved up to Thurrock in 1968 to take up a teaching post at Horndon-on-the-Hill and five years later moved to Abbot's Hall in Stanford-le-Hope, where he spent most of the rest of his teaching career. Chris followed him to Thurrock a year later and they married in Tumble, Dyfed on Boxing Day, 1970.

Their children, Lee and Helen were born in Orsett Hospital in 1975 and 1977 respectively. Over the last few years, the 'grandchildren' - Carmen and Lewis brought much joy and happiness to Lyn, and the dogs, Gooch, Gus and Travis also brought out a 'soft' touch in him.

In his school and college days he played Rugby and Basketball. He was Captain of the Basketball team in College, where he played alongside Keith (TOM) Richards and the slightly more famous Mervyn Davies. Lyn's finest hour in Basketball was beating the 'galacticos' of the Cardiff College team captained by Graham Morris. Chris was in charge of keeping score and washing his smelly kit after the game!

Graham was Lyn and Chris' best man on their wedding day. Tom, Merv and Phil James also played alongside Lyn in the College rugby team.

Lyn has been a playing member and later Vice President of Thurrock Rugby Club since he left the Promised land and arrived in .

Lyn and Chris would often follow  home and away in 6 Nations and other International rugby matches with loyal tour companion Bernie Thomas never far away and Lyn and Chris even became a fixture with Lee's University friends on match day often meeting up with them in the pub before the game.

Lyn also took to playing Bowls at the age of 16 for the Nixons Club in Mountain Ash. Bowls became a very important part of Lyn's life and he continued playing up here,firstly for the Tilbury Outdoor Bowls Club; Shell Club, Corringham and the Tilbury Indoor Bowls Club. He represented Group 9, the local district team; London Welsh and Essex on many occasions and he was deeply touched and honoured this year when Group 9 dedicated their win in the Inter Group Knockout Final to him. One of his finest achievements in bowls was making the final of the National Over 60s Pairs with his partner Pat Riley. He also reached the National finals of the Mixed Fours and Champion of Champions competitions.

His other interests were a little flutter on the horses now and again and enjoyed sampling a pint or two of real ale.

A well known and committed teacher he is remembered fondly by many of his former pupils, who would often still shout “Hello Sir” to him if they passed him in the street. He often took time out to spend with some of the more elderly or frail members of the Bowling community.

Lyn was a very private person; reserved and laid back in many ways. His motto being “Play it by ear”. He was respectful of the views of others and always calm and helpful when others needed advice. Lee always spoke to Dad if he needed up help to make up his mind about things and Helen says “Dad always makes everything better”. He was highly thought of and respected by many and many say that he was a true gentleman. Not often did he lose his temper-although Lee and Helen remember vividly at least one incident each when they got a good telling off, but deservedly so!

Lyn was a warm and generous man with piercing blue eyes and known for his sharp wit and sense of humour. Even to the very end he enjoyed a joke and a laugh with the nurses and doctors at the Hospice.

Lyn will be sadly missed by many, but especially by Chris, Lee, Helen, Glenn, Karen, Carmen, Lewis, Gus and Travis, but we will all remember the good times and happy memories we have of him.

Your words and messages of kindness and support have really spurred me on over the last couple of months and as a family we have decided to set about raising money for St Luke's Hospice, in Basildon Essex where Dad spent the last 3 weeks of his life.

 The care they gave Dad was absolutely first class and we were able to share a few happy moments with him in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The hospice relies on charitable donations to function and as such lead by my sister Helen we have set up a series of events to raise money to help the cause. In 2010 we already have a Curry night, a Children's Fun Day, a Quiz Night, A Ladies Night and a Black Tie Gala organised with many more fundraising ideas and activities planned. If you or your companies can support further with raffle prizes, items to auction these would also be gratefully received and put to good use to raise money.

Our first fundraising milestone is to raise £5,000 for a bath hoist in order that patients at the Hospice can get in and out of the jacuzzi more easily. Dad found his daily bath a real comfort to him in the hospice and we know that this essential piece of equipment is much needed by the Hospice to support the care they offer to all those who stay in the Hospice

In addition along with my brother-in-law Glenn and a friend Dewi we have signed up to take part in an Arctic Survival Trek at the end of February 2011. In order to take part in the Trek we each have to raise a minimum of £3,200 for the Hospice and the events above combined with any donations you would like to make will get us there.

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