A family have raised more than £4,000 for Havens Hospices, which helped a dad to spend his last Christmas at home.

Derek Watts, 81, from Canvey, died in January surrounded by his family after being diagnosed with prostate cancer last September.

His daughter, Julie Neale, along with eight of Derek’s family and friends, took part in Colour Me Rad, a 5k fun run in London.

Cash collected by the team is being donated to Fair Havens Hospice at Home, part of the community hospice service run by Havens Hospices.

After spending November in Southend Hospital, with the cancer now in his bones, Derek was told nothing more could be done.

Julie said: “He didn’t like being there alone, but we were limited to visiting hours, and that’s when Fair Havens helped.

“Dad was allowed home and they sent a carer from Hospice at Home once a week for a few hours to look after him.

“Dad lived on Canvey for his whole life and the nurses were local people who could talk to him about their experiences and his life there.

“They’d have such a good natter and it made him so relaxed. Mum would go and get her shopping or her hair done and those three hours were so important to her. She really needed that.”

The family were so touched by the support they received from the Fair Havens team, they decided to fundraise to both celebrate and remember Derek and raise money for the hospice.

Julie said: “We wanted to raise money to give something back to the people who made that possible. What they gave to the whole family in just three hours meant so much.”