THE daughters and granddaughters of a York man who died following a battle with cancer are taking part in the York Race For Life in his memory.

John McIntyre, 70, of Third Avenue, Tang Hall, died three years ago after suffering from bowel and liver cancer. Mr McIntyre was well known as a former pub doorman who was exposed to nuclear fallout when he was posted to Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean with the RAF.

His four daughters and five of his granddaughters are preparing to pull on their trainers to take part in the 5km race on Knavesmire this weekend with the aim of raising over £500 for Cancer Research UK.

His daughter, Fiona Petch, said: “We thought about it last year but it was still a bit too soon. We were all devastated when he died, particularly due to the nature of the illness. Now we think it is time for us to do something as a family.

“He really wanted to live – even three hours before he died he wanted to get out of bed. He was a fighter right down to the end. He was hugely independent and a very dignified man.

“Other members of the family will be there to support us. I think we will be very emotional when we finish it. We have agreed that we are going to stick together so we can finish at the same time.”

The Press reported on Mr McIntyre’s illness after doctors reluctantly decided that his chemotherapy treatment was doing more harm than good and he appealed to readers for alternative therapies. Fiona, 49, said that as she and her sisters Sylvia Morton, 50, Carol Jarvis, 50, and Tracy Yeates, 44, all worked at York Hospital and had witnessed the impact of cancer on countless families, they had an extra reason to take part in the race.

Grandaughter Kelly Elsegood is unable to take part because she is in New Zealand and grandsons Nicholas, Daniel and Matthew Morton would also take part if they could, Fiona said.

If you would like to sponsor the team, visit raceforlifesponsorme.org/teammcintyre