THE family of a man who died from a brain tumour are urging people to take part in a fun walk to raise cash for the hospice that helped him live his final days to the full.

Chris Buckley, son of Wickford councillor Malcolm Buckley, will be honoured by family members when they take part in the annual Barleylands Fun Walk on May 18, organised by Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron.

Chris’s partner, Vickie Smith, and son, Oliver, aged 15 months, will take on the challenge to raise cash for St Luke’s Hospice, in Basildon.

Chris was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2012 and by March 2013 St Luke’s nurses were offering their Hospice at Home service for Chris, who had to move to his dad’s house.

Vickie, aged 24, who lived in Shotgate, said: “People would pop in three times a day to help him out. His memory was going a bit and they would make sure he took his medicine and that he had eaten.

“It was reassuring for me to know that he had had his breakfast and he would have taken his tablets. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders.

“We lived a lifetime in the space of just over a year, knowing his brain tumour wouldn't leave him long with his son – the one thing he always wanted in life. But a lot of the freedom and normality Chris had wouldn't have been possible if St Luke's hadn't supported us the way they did.”

Vickie hopes to raise £1,000 for St Luke’s Hospice, with the hope of raising the most ever for the charity from the walk.

John Baron’s Fun Walk is a chance for fundraisers to walk one or three miles around Barleylands, near Billericay, to raise money for their chosen charity. A bonus pot of money donated from sponsors is then divided by benefiting charities.

Vickie added: “Chris was such a positive person. He was very determined and passionate about anything he did.

“We couldn’t do things like go on holiday abroad, but we have happy memories building Oliver’s nursery, going to the Tate Museum, in London, and going to meet the Tottenham Hotspur team. St Luke’s went the extra mile for us, so it’s about time we gaveamile back.”

To sponsor Vickie visit www.justgiving.com/allinsonsmith For information on taking part in the walk for St Luke’s call Kerry Chambers on 01268 524973 or email kerry@stlukes hospice.co.uk.