16 Sep 2022 Personal Stories

Charity cricket match raises a brilliant £1,170 in memory of local lad Dan.

This summer Raise a can for Dan, charity cricket match was held in memory of Dan Regan. Lover of all things sport, and Adidas trainers.

In November 2018, Dan was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer at the age of 43. A huge shock for the family as Ann explains: “It was really quick; he was diagnosed at the end of November and by April he was gone, he was so young. It hit us hard”

Ann and Dan were married for 23 years, raising their two daughters Daisy and Ruby, aged 10 and 19 at the time. Finding Dan’s diagnosis hard to accept and with a short prognosis, time was precious to them. Ann a registered nurse, doing the best she could for her family, found this tricky to navigate. Observing changes in Dan’s condition and quietly monitoring his decline.

She explains: “I knew he was dying, being a nurse, I knew I’d gotten to a stage where I couldn’t manage his healthcare anymore. I asked his dad to pop down and sit with him whilst I popped to the shops, when I came back The Kirkwood Nurse and GP had arrived.”

A bed was arranged for Dan to be moved to The Kirkwood that day, and in that last 24 hours The Kirkwood were there to support Ann, Daisy, and Ruby. Ann staying the night at The Kirkwood with Dan in his room. Dan died the following night on April 17th, 2019.

Ann says: “The Kirkwood were good to us in that short space of time, my daughter received complementary therapy whilst Dan was in. I talked with another gentleman that was there and found chatting to him helpful as we were both in the same boat and understood what one another were going through.”

Ann also found comfort in a familiar face whilst staying at The Kirkwood with Dan. A childhood friend who is now a Kirkwood nurse on the In-Patient unit, saying: “talking to her really helped too.”

Since Dan’s death in 2019 the family have been fundraising in his memory for both The Kirkwood and Pancreatic Cancer UK. Naming their fundraiser ‘Raise a can for Dan’, attending numerous events set up by The Kirkwood, such as the Colour Rush and hosted birthday fundraisers on Facebook. 


 

More recently the ‘Raise a can for Dan’ Charity Cricket match, which was held at the Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club and organised by long-time friend Emma Jane.

A sports enthusiast Dan was a keen cricketer, trialling to play for Yorkshire in his younger years, later becoming a member of both Heckmondwike and Gomersal Cricket clubs. A charity cricket match was held in his honour, a fitting tribute to Dan’s memory. The event was well attended, with cricket at the top of the agenda, there was also a raffle, food, and refreshments available. The event raising a brilliant £1,170 and still climbing.

In total so far, Dan’s family and friends have raised a phenomenal £5,000 and don’t plan on stopping their fundraising journey anytime soon, hosting their annual garden party in Ann’s newly updated memorial garden. Continuing to raise a can and celebrate the life of Dan on his birthday, 8th September.

Dan’s memory will live on not only by his recognisable trademark and love of Adidas trainers but also through his love of sport and zest for life. – We’d like to thank Ann, Emma Jane and everyone who has taken part and donated in raising a can for Dan. Your kindness and generosity help us to support the people of Kirklees with life limiting illness, whenever they need us.