VICTOR Cardnell, who dedicated the last months of his life to charity fundraising, has died.
Mr Cardnell, 49, of Oldfield Road, Honley, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2001. The cancer spread to his lungs and brain and in April 2004 he was told his condition was incurable.
But during a bout of medication-induced insomnia later that year Mr Cardnell, known as Vic, decided to raise money for charity as well as conquering his fear of heights by flying around the UK.
The father-of-three, who would have been 50 on July 1, helped organise the Flight2Fight campaign which took off just over two weeks ago.
The seven-day 2,000-mile aerial trek started and finished at Blackpool and took in places including Land's End and John O'Groats. Through the trip Mr Cardnell and friends managed to raise awareness of the CancerBacup charity and also £20,000.
The charity gives help and advice to cancer sufferers and their families
Mr Cardnell used to be a project manager for Barclays Bank, where he had worked for almost 20 years. He only stopped working a year before his death.
Originally from Essex he moved to Huddersfield 15 years ago with wife Shelley, who is a head teacher, and children Rebecca, 22, Dan, 20 and Eleanor, 16.
Mr Cardnell, who died at home with his family on Sunday, had attended a celebration evening for Flight2Fight's achievements in Holmfirth on Saturday.
A friend, Andrew Earnshaw, said: "Vic made a speech thanking all the Flight2Fight team and supporters.
"He was obviously in much pain and discomfort but kept a brave face throughout and stayed the full three hours of the event. We have since learned that in order to be more alert at the event, Vic decided to take less morphine, the result was obviously more personal pain.
"This act epitomises Vic's bravery and commitment to the project."
