Don was diagnosed with bowl cancer in July 2012 but was told it was treatable and not life threatening.  He went through five weeks of Chemo-Radiation to shrink the tumor and was then waiting for an operation.  His symptoms got worse and he was admitted to hospital on 1st October 2012, our first wedding anniversary.  Two days later we were told the devastating news that the cancer has spread and he only had a few months to live.  He died at home three weeks later, just three days after his 43rd birthday.

He is solely missed by me, his wife, his son Kieran (age 14), his Mum and Dad Mary and John, his Sister Monica, Brother Phil and Brother-in-Law Pete, all of my family and all the rest of his friends and family, too many to mention.

My Cousin Ian Hardy and his friend Richard Dixon decided to take part in the Valencia Ramshackle Rally and raise money for Cancer Research in memory of Don.  The challenge was to buy a car for £200 which they have done (a 1995 Ford Mondeo) and now they are transforming it into Lightning McQueen for their trip.

The car will be prepared within the motor vehicle workshops of Ullswater Community College, Penrith where Ian works. Students at the college will be helping Ian to service, repair, modifiy and decorate the car ready for the return trip to Valencia. 

The left Cumbria on 22nd August and drive through the UK, France, Italy and Spain taking part in various challenges along the way.  They finished the Rally in Valencia on 26th August.

Don would have loved this challenge and would be very proud it's taking place in his name - please support this cause if you can and let's work towards preventing other families going through what we are now.

Don will never be forgotten - he was loved by many and the world is a duller place without his smile, charm and wit.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Sharron Clark

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