A DEVOTED dad has helped raise more than £1,000 for a hospital unit in memory of his inspirational fundraiser son.

Dave Parker’s son, Adrian, died last year, aged 45. He raised more than £20,000 for the Mary Barron Suite, a haematology day unit, in the five years before his death.

Adrian, of Goldcrest Close, Colchester, set up the Parker Gees Haematology Fund after he was treated at the unit there for myeloma, a formof bone marrow cancer.

The fund was named after the estate agency he co-owned in Clacton.

Now Dave has added more than £1,000 to Adrian's total, through a sponsored head shave and £826 raised by an Adrian Parker Memorial Trophy six-a-side football tournament played at Clacton FC’s ground.

Mr Parker, of Martinsdale, Great Clacton, said: “For seven years, I managed the Tiptree Boys football team which Adrian played in and he kept in touch with many of the lads.

“One of them, Craig Campbell, had his head shaved in the Ship pub in Tiptree. Estate agents Adrian knew, and the people they used to deal with, organised the football tournament.”

Adrian raised his £5,000 by donating £50 for every property transaction he completed inside a month and through a charity ball.

Adrian, who lived in Thorpe Road, Clacton, before moving to Colchester, left a wife, Karen, and daughters, Hayley, 25, and Stephanie, 22.

Jo Tonkin, a nurse involved in Adrian’s care, said: “Adrian was a tremendous supporter of the unit and it’swonderful his friends and family continue that support now that he is no longer with us.

“The latest donation will be put towards the £1,400 cost of a new treatment chair for the unit.”