VIDEO: Tributes paid to Race4Men founder Derrick Daley
By Bodger21 | Wednesday, March 06, 2013, 10:20
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Much-loved Derrick Daley will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A true hero and inspiration to all who knew him, Race4Men founder Derrick Daley has lost his long battle with cancer.
Derrick, 65, was a familiar face in Gloucester, thanks to his countless hours of fundraising and campaigning to raise awareness of cancer in men.
In 2011, the grandfather to five from Kingsholm was awarded the Citizen-backed Brave Heart Hero award to recognise his vast achievements.
He raised £15,000 for cancer charities that year and ran the 5km race himself, despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to fight bowel cancer.
WATCH: VIDEO TRIBUTE TO DERRICK
His daughter Jo said his loss will leave a gaping hole in the family and the community.
"My dad was a hero to so many people, he was too good for this world," she said.
"He raised so much awareness of cancer through Race4Men and was an inspiration to so many people with the way he dealt with what he was going through.
"His grandchildren will remember him for everything he has left them with, the knowledge and love that he gave them."
Breakfast show radio host Warren Moore, from Heart FM, knew Derrick through his fundraising efforts and became a friend.
He said: "Writing a tribute to Derrick Daley is like being the guy who has to go on after The Beatles – how do you follow that?
"I first met Derrick exactly three years ago this week. He was doing what he did best – helping others for our 'Have a Heart' charity.
"Little did I know three years later I'd be crying like a baby in an on-air studio because a man who was a father figure to me had passed away.
"You don't cry for long though, because Derrick has left memories that somehow always end up in laughter.
"Thank you for giving me the pleasure of three years of your friendship Derrick.
"You made me cry with laughter, sing, dance, learn, care for others and, above all, you made me a better person.
"All men die, but not all men live, and Derrick wrote the book on living."
* To find out more about this year's Race4Men visit the website.
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