Darryll Knock, 63, of Stowmarket, honoured with fund-raising efforts after shock cancer diagnosis

A Suffolk family is raising thousands of pounds for charity in honour of their father who received a shock cancer diagnosis.

Darryll Knock, 63, of Stowmarket, went to hospital last month for a routine check up last which he has regularly following heart surgery a decade ago.

However, he left the hospital under palliative care after he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver.

Now, his son-in-law Lee Upson, 37, has vowed to run 12.8 miles from Stowmarket to Ipswich Town FC's Portman Road Stadium in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support as football has always been a big part of Darryll’s life.

Daisy Upson, Darryll’s daughter and Lee’s wife, 35, said: “It’s all just happened very quickly.

“After the diagnosis, I just felt numb and a bit empty – but we decided not to sit around and grieve while he’s still here. We have to do what we can now.

“I don’t want to wait to raise money in his memory after he’s gone, I want my dad to see just how many people are behind him and are supporting him through this journey – and for him to be able to see how many people’s lives he has affected.”

Darryll was a relatively healthy man travelling to London and Wales for work, but he is now in a wheelchair and requires a mobility scooter - all within the space of a month.

He is part of a large and loving family as he is a husband to Helen, brother to Louise, father to Reuben, Jannah, Hollie, Lucy and Daisy, uncle to Hannah and Abby and grandfather to Lexi, Leyton, Luna, Georgia, Angus, Aubrey, Alba, George and Bonnie.

The whole family has rallied together for Macmillan Cancer Support and their JustGiving page has raised £2,435 for the charity so far. If you would like to donate, click here.

As Darryll is an avid Everton fan, Lee will be making the trek on October 19 when the Blues host the Toffees at home for the first time since 2001.

“Lee, myself, and our two children have been Ipswich Town season ticket holders for the last four years,” Daisy said. “There’s always been friendly banter between us, especially now that Ipswich Town has been promoted.

“My dad teased that ‘the real battle’ would come when we face off against Everton – so this game seemed like the perfect occasion to do something meaningful.

“My brother Reuben is also going to cycle alongside him and I’m honestly so proud of both of them for taking it on.”

Alongside the fund-raising efforts, Darryll has only one wish - to get a photo with his favourite player, Everton goalie Jordan Pickford, after the match.

However, Daisy said she is concerned that her dad and brother might not be able to get tickets so she has reached out to Ipswich Town FC to hopefully secure some.

“I don’t want Reuben to cycle all that way and not be able to actually watch the match,” she said.

“It’s incredible we’ve been able to raise so much money is such a short space of time and we so grateful to everyone who has donated.

“My dad is such a proud man, he’s funny with a witty, sarcastic sense of humour – he’s such a character and quite well-known with the football community in Suffolk.

“This whole thing is a testament to him and and we’re determined to make the most of whatever time we have left.”