New father is mourned

Glen Lamaris with his wife Cheryl and daughter, Sophia

Dad of one Glen Lamaris was struck down by pneumonia as he awaited a liver transplant.

The former Atherton Slimming World consultant died on April 20 and his widow Cheryl said this week that she had been overwhelmed by the messages of sympathy and support which have flooded in since news of the tragedy broke.

The 41-year-old set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for his funeral, which has so far reached more than £7,800, and was due to take place tomorrow at Worsley St Mark’s Church.

Cheryl, who had been married to Glen for almost 14 years, said: “Over the last 12 years Glen has not been 100 per cent, with his liver problems, but over the last 12 to 18 months he had deteriorated.

“Last November we were informed there was a liver available for him but a chest X-ray revealed he had a problem with his lungs and so they could not operate. He suffered from a bad cough and was given steroids which made it better.

“A few days before his death he started with a bad cough again but was adamant he would attend his best friend’s wedding as he was the best man.

“He attended but that night we had to take him to hospital. He spent 10 days in intensive care fighting for his life and he died on April 20. It was not the liver problems that killed him, but his lungs.

“The cruel twist is that we had fertility problems and it took us 12 years to conceive our daughter, Sophia, and he won’t live to see her grow up.

“Glen was always smiling, laughing and joking and saw the good in everybody. He was really lovable and kind, always reaching to help other people.”

Cheryl added: “A funeral was not something we had thought about and I didn’t realise how expensive it would be. I want to give Glen the send-off he deserves, paying tribute to him and I want to say thank you to him. He was such a lovely man and so precious to the family.

“Glen talked about what he wanted at his funeral. He loved gospel choirs and so I would love to sort that for him. I want to say a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone’s donations. I really didn’t expect that much.”

Glen lived in Worsley, but was a prominent member of the Atherton community as a Slimming World consultant.

Cheryl added: “Glen went to Slimming World himself and lost three stone. It inspired him to become a consultant.”

To support Cheryl visit www.crowdfunding.justgiving.com/glen-lamaris