HIS dying wish was to raise funds for the cancer charity close to his heart.

Now, the family of Cwmbran fundraiser Les Lavender will continue to collect cash in his memory at his funeral.

Mr Lavender, 71, of Trannon Court, Thornhill, died at home with his family around him on Tuesday.

He had raised £14,000 for cancer research after the death of his wife Jean from the disease in 2006.

Then he was diagnosed with stomach and liver cancer on Christmas Eve and given just nine weeks to live.

In January, we reported his wish that the fundraising go on after his death - and his son Alan, 43, fulfilled another one of his wishes by carrying out a charity skydive at Swansea airfield earlier this month which his dad had planned to do, but was too ill to complete.

Instead, Mr Lavender senior, who also held a farewell party for his friends and family, was bursting with pride as his son stepped in to jump from 10,000 feet on February 17.

The jump raised £2,500 for Cancer Research Wales.

Daughter Wendy Mitchell said: "Dad organised a farewell party and made all the arrangements for his funeral, including his coffin bearers and what songs he wants.

"He is well known for walking around The Kingfisher pub in Thornhill shaking his blue Cancer Research bucket, so we are going to do that at the funeral to collect money."

Mr Lavender chose Norman Wisdom's Don't Laugh At Me, We Plough the Fields and Scatter and You'll Never Know by Frank Sinatra for his funeral service.

He said the Sinatra song was his and his late wife's special song.

Mrs Mitchell, 34 said: "Dad was a hero, everyone says that he was always smiling and would do anything for anyone."

Neighbours have flocked to offer condolences to the family, while Mrs Mitchell says friends from his local pub The Kingfisher have been texting and phoning.

Mr Lavender leaves behind four children Tony, 47, Adrian, 45, Alan, 43 and Wendy, 34 as well as five grandchildren.

He worked as a landscape gardener for Cwmbran Landscape and was a keen gardener.

Mr Lavender's funeral takes place at the Gwent Crematorium, Croesyceiliog at 1pm on March 4.

The family has requested family flowers only, with donations for Cancer Research Wales via the funeral director Arthur Peake. Tel: 01633 482291.