Funeral cash appeal after Harwich dad dies from cancer

Neil Coates, 59, died on February 6 after a few months of fighting cancer in his spine and brain.

Having been admitted to hospital in December, Neil’s health only started getting worse which meant he couldn’t assign his life insurance to Beverley Francis - his long-term life partner.

Their five children and ten grandchildren are now appealing for help to raise £2,000 to cover the funeral costs.

Neil with his grandchildren

Kerry Francis,40, who is Neil’s stepdaughter, said: “First the hospital believed it was his sciatica playing up, because it was in his spine.

“At first they were sending him home with medications for that for such a long time and then he got to a point where he had to crawl around on the floor.

“He was in so much pain he couldn’t stand up and that’s when they finally scanned him.

“The cancer was in his spine and eventually moved into his brain and took him completely.”

Kerry’s mother, Beverley Francis, 59, is also fighting cancer in her liver duct, pancreas and gallbladder.

She started chemotherapy in January and her daughters are doing their best to help her deal with the loss of her partner.

Neil and Beverley, who is also fighting cancer

Kerry added: “Neil was my mum’s partner for 20 years.

“He was the type of person that would do anything for everybody.

“When we were younger, we got into a few arguments as children and their parents do and he had to handle quite a few of us. And most of us are girls. He did all right really.”

Neil spent most of his life as a welder at the Harwich Port.

And when he wasn’t working, photography and playing video games were his favourite hobbies.

Kerry said: “When he was at his hospice bed, his mind started to play tricks on him and that’s where he was - he was back on the docks working.

“It’s a small community, so he had some great friends and is really going to be missed.”

You can help here.