Events in memory of Doncaster '˜funny' grandad Fen

A group of friends are hoping to raise £10,000 in memory of a grandfather who died suddenly of cancer.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2016, 10:20 BST
Updated 13th May 2016, 10:21 BST
Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, holds his baby grandson Mason. Steve died of cancer shortly after in May 2015.Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, holds his baby grandson Mason. Steve died of cancer shortly after in May 2015.
Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, holds his baby grandson Mason. Steve died of cancer shortly after in May 2015.

Steve Fennell, of Balby, was 56 years old when he fell ill around New Year 2015.

He died of stomach cancer months later, on May 1.

Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.
Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.

Friends and family were left in shock – but were determined not to forget the father-of-one.

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Friend Pete Lawes said: “Steve had so many friends, so many people loved him.

“It was all very sad and very quick, but we were determined not to forget him.”

Pete got together with more of Steve’s friends, including Kev Laughton, Darren Walker, Nik Hubbard, Carl Fielding and Dave Booth, and began to organise fundraising events in honour of Steve, an engineer who was known as Fen.

Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.
Steve Fennell, aged 56, of Balby, Doncaster, who died suddenly in May 2015 of cancer.

Earlier this month, 33 riders took part in a sponsored 100-mile bike ride from Doncaster to York, raising thousands of pounds.

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On Saturday, a fundraising day is being held and Pete is hoping that collectively the two events will raise £8,000 to £10,000.

The day will start with a football match at Edlington Miners Welfare, Edlington Lane, at 2pm. In the evening, local bands will play at a sold-out gig at the Alverley Inn, Springwell Lane. The Kavaliers, Outcharms and Monkey Dust will entertaining 250 people from 8pm. There will also be a raffle. All funds raised will be for Cancer Research and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Remembering his friend of 32 years, Pete added: “Steve was a really funny guy. If you were going out with him, you knew you weren’t going to have a quiet night. He loved spending time with his family, his son Simon, 32, daughter-in-law Amy, and one-year-old grandson Mason. He didn’t get to spend much time with Mason, but he loved being a granddad.”

The group of friends are hoping to organise annual fundraising events in Steve’s name. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/stevefennellmemorial

To buy raffle tickets, send a message to the above Facebook page or call Pete on 07793967549.