TRIBUTES have been paid to a cancer patient who raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Ted Hughes, 59, died surrounded by his family in hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The “Horwich legend” was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in February after suffering from pain when swallowing.
Whilst undergoing chemotherapy he started the Raise A Pint campaign with the hope of raising money for Cancer Research UK, and educating people about his uncommon and aggressive form of cancer.
Daughter Jessica Sneyd said: “It was a shock, he had cancer but it was very unexpected. He was very brave, a total warrior.
“He was everybody’s friend. In the hospital they’d only known him a few hours but the doctors and nurses were crying - he was just lovable.
“A lot of people told us they were out at the weekend and all the pubs were talking about him, it’s been really comforting.
“He was a massive Bolton fan, a season ticket holder and he went to every match.
“We’ve had some of the old players contact us about him, including John McGinlay, it’s been really lovely to see.”
Mr Hughes enjoying travelling alongside his wife, Anne-Marie, and daughter and liked to socialise, often found eating or drinking in one of the local pubs and restaurants.
In February he was able to walk daughter Jessica down the aisle as she married her husband, James.
After his diagnosis, Mr Hughes wanted to raise money to help beat cancer, and asked people to donate £3, the pub price of his favourite pint, to Cancer Research UK.
Hoping to raise £500, Ted was shocked when he smashed through that target in just one hour, and had set himself a new goal of reaching £10,000 before his birthday on August 9.
Mrs Sneyd added: “He was so proud of all that money we raised, he was telling the nurses about it in the hospital.
“He wanted to raise £10,000 before his birthday, and it would be amazing if we could manage it.
READ MORE: Horwich has come through for him' – local legend's fundraiser hits 10k goal
“He was the best, he loved his family and his friends and he was loved back.”
Ted’s family hope to reach his new goal of £10,000 by next Sunday, August 9, to mark what would have been Ted’s 60th birthday.
All money will go to Cancer Research UK to help fight the deadly disease.
Oesophageal cancer is the 14th most common form of the disease in the UK, with around 9,100 people diagnosed with it each year.
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/raiseapint for more information, or to donate to the campaign.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel