AROUND 300 mourners came to honour courageous cancer champion Dom Valdez, hailed this week as one of Runcorn's most famous sons.

His funeral cortege was so long a police escort led it through the streets on its final journey.

Crusading Dom, 59, touched so many lives, people came to pay tribute to his remarkable achievement.

His parish priest, Fr Adrian of Our Lady's RC Church, Palacefields told a packed congregation at St Edward's Church: "I was amazed when I discovered that Halton Haven was created by just one man and an enthusiastic team of helpers.

"Halton Haven and Dom are inseparable. They both represent compassion, care and solace for people who have cancer.

"Let us thank God for his achievement, but most of all for his humility, simplicity, love and fun."

Fr Adrian recalled how Dom's dream started 20 years ago in Lourdes, when he was praying for his wife, Lin's recovery from a serious illness.

"He promised Our Lady he would dedicate his life to cancer patients.

"He was a big man with a big heart," said Fr Adrian. "He kept his promise, surmounting difficulty after difficulty."

His vision began with just one room - and now offers tender loving care to 22 patients and a flourishing day centre.

"Dom spent most of the years following, worrying where the next penny would come from. He never liked to say 'no' to anyone. He never lost his personal touch. He was always there to give a kindly word and a helping hand."

Even when he suffered three heart attacks and was diagnosed with cancer, he continued to work from his sick bed.

Dom was honoured by the Queen in 1992 when he received the BEM.

"Dom started as a popular school caretaker and is now one of Runcorn's most famous sons," said Fr Adrian.

"It is up to us to see that the Haven will be a living memorial and remain as a permanent feature."

Dom's eldest son, Martin, 28, paid a poignant tribute to his dad in a moving eulogy My dad, the hero.

He said: "If you knocked him down, he'd get up. I am so proud of you, Dad."

He captured the essence of his father's philosophy: "If you believe, you can achieve."

Dom's concelebrated requiem mass was led by Fr Adrian Tate with Fr Bernard Forshaw of St Martin's, Fr Alban Alderton of St Augustine's, family friend, Fr Stephen Leggett and Rev Ian Rigby.

It was followed by a private family burial at his beloved Halton Haven.

Dom's widow, Lin and sons, Martin and Stuart would like to thank everyone for their countless messages of condolence and support.

The family requests any donations in memory of Dom be made to Halton Haven.

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