More than £2,000 has been raised in memory of a “hilarious” and “devoted” grandfather who died following a battle with cancer.
Michael ‘Chezzy’ Chester, from Lower Kersal, Salford, passed away after a year-long fight against cancer on Sunday 26 July.
The 66-year-old, who leaves behind two adult children, a teenage daughter and a young granddaughter, has been described as “the best dad in the world” by his family.
They have launched a fundraiser to help cover the funeral costs and help to ensure his youngest daughter Jade is supported throughout this difficult time.
Thanks to the support of Michael’s friends, colleagues and people from across the city, the family has raised £2,000 in just two days.
“The level of support has been unbelievable,” said Katie Chester, one of Michael’s older daughters. “My dad would have been blown away by it.”
Katie explained her father grew up in Lower Kersal in the 1970s and attended St Albert’s school before becoming a mechanic.
“He had an interest in motorbikes so became a mechanic when he left school, and there his interest in cars grew too,” she said.
Katie explained how Michael was “a bit of a daredevil” in his youth and appeared on ITV Granada to take on the Globe of Death, a famous gravity-defying stunt where motorcyclists ride at top speed around the inside of a massive steel ball.
The larger-than-life character maintained a social lifestyle. “He used to be up all night and loved to party”, Katie said, adding, “his friends have sent me so many bullet points and stories about him.”
Michael’s ability to connect with people served him as well, as he became a taxi driver, and when his youngest daughter Jade came into his life, he channelled that same warmth and energy into being the “best dad.”
“He has shaped Jade’s life for the better, and she turns 18 in a few weeks so he has done his job,” Katie highlighted.
When Michael was 57, he was admitted to hospital with sepsis and put in a medically induced coma with just a 20 per cent chance of survival.
“I believe he survived sepsis to bring Jade up. She really needed him.”
Michael’s daughter described how, in his final days in hospital, his fun-loving nature never diminished.
“Even up until his death he was flirting with the nurses,” Katie recalled, laughing.
Wanting to watch England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina from the balcony during a family trip to Blackpool, he had the energy to nip down to Argos and buy a television to screen the match. Katie said that spontaneity and sense of fun made him special: “It was the kind of person he was, he’d just love to do things like that, and it would make us smile.”
After realising the “shocking” amount needed to cover funeral costs, the family launched a crowdfunder to help overcome the financial burden.
More than £2,000 has been raised so far through the GoFundMe campaign, which has a target of £3,000.
Further information about Michael and the fundraiser can be found here.
