A group of 40 mates from all over the world met up for a weekend away with a cardboard cut out of their best friend who sadly passed away from cancer in February this year.
Lee Clarke, had been battling bowel cancer for nearly two years. In life the 50-year-old was credited with being the key organiser of holidays, parties and days out for friends throughout the year.
However, due to his health and the covid-19 pandemic, he had struggled to take part in these events. Unfortunately, by the time the next one came around, Lee was no longer alive to see it, report Grimsby Live.
According to close friend Darren McLean, 52, Lee, from Humberside, had been hoping and praying to make it on to the bus that left for Skegness on Saturday 2 July. Although he never made it in person, Darren and the others made sure Lee was there by bringing along a ingenious cardboard cut out of him on their travels.
Darren said Lee was a great man who had a great sense of humour whose loss was ‘heartbreaking’ for many. He explained: “Lee and I became friends at school, he was a well liked guy in the village and was a bit of a social animal.
“He loved a night out and would always arrange trips and a Christmas party for all of us who went to Humberston. There used to be 20 to 40 of us every time so this time we decided to do one in his memory.
“He had been battling bowel cancer for nearly two years, but he took a turn for the worst at Christmas last year. He said he was trying to build up his strength to come on the bus trip, but unfortunately he never made it. He started to deteriorate in January and never got any better, it was awful.”
He added: “He was a genuinely good guy who had a good sense of humour. It’s never nice when someone dies and it was heartbreaking when Lee died. He’ll always be in everyone’s hearts and minds.”
However, rather than call the trip off, Darren and the others decided to carry on and bring Lee with them. Darren says he once told Lee he would be on the bus even if it was a cardboard cut out. After Lee’s passing, Darren and the others decided to do exactly that.
He said: “I got a 51 seater coach on purpose so that there would be a space for Lee. The little twist made the trip all the more personal for us and we’ll always remember him because of it. We’re hoping to do this an annual thing now, I think he would’ve absolutely loved it though.”
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