DEREK Gaskell is undoubtedly a remarkable man.

After his wife Dorothy suffered a brain haemorrhage, the Bolton businessman started his own brain and spinal injuries charity BASIC in 1983. She was treated at the old Salford Royal hospital and this was where Derek sited a special neurological unit that would be the envy of the country.

To do this, he enlisted the help of many local people and ran a series of high-profile fundraising campaigns to find the millions needed for this state-of-the-art centre.

Decades later, the centre is achieving all he hoped, with its latest addition a £500,000 machine set to revolutionise treatment for patients recovering from brain injuries.

In the meantime, Derek has had his own private battle against prostate cancer, although to meet him you’d never know it. He obviously sees a long-term commitment to BASIC; his enduring determination and stoic spirit are always what you see.