A GROUP of men have donated wheelchairs to a hospital in memory of their friend who died of cancer.

Les Major, Kevin Reed, Colin Ginn and Lee Critchell all work at businesses on Gorse Lane Industrial Estate in Clacton.

When their friend David Cook was diagnosed with cancer they decided to support St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, where he received treatment.

Les said: “It was all inspired by seeing Dave go through what he did.

“We wanted to do something to help the patients and the hospital, and we decided to buy four wheelchairs and donate them.

“We came up with the idea when Dave was going through treatment. Unfortunately he is no longer with us, but we decided to follow through with it in his memory.”

Les said the hospital were delighted to hear about their plan when he told them.

He added: “It has been a difficult time for all of us, but it feels nice to be able to do some good and help other people.

“Unless you’ve seen someone with cancer you don’t know what it’s all about.

“To see an active man cut down like that was awful.

“It brings it home, and that’s why we decided to help other people who might be in his position.”