A FAMILY has paid tribute to a loving grandfather who has died after a six year battle with cancer.

Malcolm Heggs died aged 68 after suffering with bowel, lung and pancreatic cancers. Mr Heggs, a roofer from Crossways, near Dorchester, was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 62-years-old and had undergone treatment for his bowl and lung cancers.

Then, in February 2020, he received his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer the day after his son's wedding and was told he had just months to live.

Georgia, Mr Heggs' daughter-in-law, said: "Our wedding day went from being the best day of our lives to the worst day of our lives, but it means so much to us that he was able to be at our wedding and could share that special day with us.

"It is comforting to know that he is not in any pain now, although that doesn't make it any easier."

Four years ago, Mr Heggs, who has three sons and three grandchildren, was rushed into hospital on the day his grandson Dominic was born and had emergency surgery to have his bowel removed.

Georgia said: "Just after I gave birth to Dom he had to have the surgery which was so scary. Malcolm said that the only reason he got off the operating table was to meet his grandson so we have always said that Dom is Malcolm's guardian angel.

"He really was the best grandad and my four-year-old son's best friend."

In the month before his death, Georgia took on a fitness challenge and ran 62 miles in the 31 days of January to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare, a specialist end of life care provider, who looked after her father-in-law in his final days.

Georgia initially aimed to raise £100 for the charity but within three minutes of sharing her fundraising page online she had raised £300. She has now raised more than £2,000 and, although she has completed her challenge, her fundraising page is still active and she hopes donations will still be made to Weldmar.

Georgia said: "I hated every minute of the run but it has meant so much to me to raise money for Weldmar, who took such good care of Malcolm before he died."

To donate to Georgia's fundraiser, visit bit.ly/3u2XLiu