Inspiring cancer fundraiser dies

8:50am Thursday 14th August 2008

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A CANCER patient who tirelessly raised cash to help fellow victims of the disease has died.

Alan Barker, of Acomb, died on August 10, at home, aged 42. He leaves his wife Jo, sons Owen, nine, and Joe, 17, his mother, Shirley, brothers John and Geoff and sisters Janet and Susan.

Jo paid homage today to her “loving and generous” husband who did so much to help others: “Alan was a fantastic father and husband,” she said.

“Throughout the time he has been ill he has been so brave and an inspiration to watch.

“The fact that he raised thousands of pounds to help others, while battling cancer was amazing.”

Alan raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support York and York Cancer Care Centre over the past year.

He wanted to help fellow victims of cancer after he was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus two years ago.

The cancer spread to Alan’s lymph nodes and then reached his brain.

Alan, who took on friend Joe Caunt, 23, of Stockton Lane, in a 24-hour charity pool tournament at the Tramways Club in the city in March this year, said at the time that raising cash for the cancer charities gave him a sense of achievement.

“I’m terminally ill, but the more good causes I can raise money for the better. I feel really good that the money can go to help other people.”

His fundraising efforts had earned him a nomination in the Charity Fundraiser Of The Year category of The Press’s Community Pride Awards 2008, in which judges, impressed by his tremendous effort to help others, picked him as a finalist.

Jo added that Alan was “extremely excited” to be selected as a finalist in The Press’s Community Pride Awards.

Francine Clee, assistant editor of The Press, paid tribute to Alan. “He was an extremely worthy finalist who clearly did so much to help others,” she said. “Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Alan will remain as a finalist in the awards; which will be held at York Racecourse in October.

Alan was born on January 24, 1966 in York to parents Shirley and Ian. He grew up in South Bank, York, and spent his working career at Tangerine confectionery, York, in production. He met Jo on a night out in York in 1995 and in 1999 the couple married.

A Mass is to take place at The Church of Our Lady, Acomb, at 2.15pm, tomorrow, followed by a cremation at York Crematorium.

Donations can be made to St Leonard’s Hospice.