THE family of a man who died just 10 days after taking part in a charity walk has vowed to march on in his memory.

Widow Nicola Jackson, 34, from Briar Way, Blackbird Leys, will take part in ‘It’s Not Just A Walk in the Park’ next weekend to raise money for the Oxford Cancer Centre alongside 21 of her husband Brian’s friends and family.

Mr Jackson, 49, was diagnosed with cancer of the voicebox in February last year.

Despite being in a wheelchair and being desperately ill with terminal cancer, the father-of-six was determined to take part in last year’s inaugural three-mile walk to say thank you for the excellent treatment he received at the Churchill Hospital and to raise money for the new Oxford Cancer Centre.

He died just ten days later.

Mrs Jackson said: “After last year we decided that as long as the trust held the walks, we would do them in Brian’s memory.

“The help he was given there was just fantastic – everyone gave 100 per cent for him.”

It is not the first time Mrs Jackson has lost a loved one to cancer.

Her first husband Nigel Smith died of the disease 10 years ago and she also lost her mother and several other family members to the illness.

On Sunday she will lead a group including Mr Jackson’s children from a previous marriage Dana, 29, Kelly, 25, and Lee, 17, Mrs Jackson’s two daughters from a previous marriage, Naomi, 14, and Amy, 13, and the couple’s own daughter, Abigail, two.

All of the team will be wearing a white T-shirts with the words ‘Walking In Memory of Brian’ and a picture of the fun-loving plumber as they walk through Oxford University Parks.

Mrs Jackson said: “He was a fun and happy-go-lucky sort of guy, a bit of everything really.

“He loved his kids and he’d be chuffed to bits everyone is taking part again this year. It also means a lot to me that everybody wants to get involved in his memory.”

Last year, more than 400 people took part and raised more than £30,000 for the Cancer Centre, which opened in March.

This year the event will raise money for both the Oxford Heart Centre and the Oxford Cancer Centre.

The walk costs £7.50 to enter, with participants asked to try and raise £50 or more in sponsorship.

To take part call 01865 743444 or visit orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk to find out more.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk