A GROUP of men have teamed up to do a charity walk in memory of their fun-loving friend.

Former Fairfield High School pupil Mark Rothwell was only 39 when he died from cancer.

He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in March, 2013 and died eight months later.

Around 50 men will be meeting at the Eight Towers pub in Widnes, where he used to drink, at 7.30am on Sunday, September 6.

They plan to walk 15 miles along the canal through Warrington and Runcorn and back over the bridge to Widnes.

They will be raising funds for Miles For Men, a charity which funds cancer research and raises awareness.

Mark’s brother-in-law, electrician Steve Rowe, aged 35, from Halton View, who organised the event, said: “Mark was the world’s nicest lad.

“He was kind-hearted and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“I worked with him. We were very close.

“Every year we want to remember him and this will bring us all closer together.

“Cancer effects every family. We all know someone with this illness.”

Dad-of-three Steve and a few friends did a fancy dress fun run in Aintree last year.

Mark, who used to live in Orkney Close, worked as an electrical estimator.

His widow, Cheryl, aged 35, said: “Mark was loved by so many people.

“All his friendship groups have done something to raise funds.”

Her employer, David Wilson Homes has raised £16,500 for cancer research.

Cheryl added: “Mark was the life and soul of the party. He was trying to get his mates to get married so he could go on stag dos.

“He just kept us entertained all the time.”

Her dad, John Cogan, who survived prostate cancer is joining the walkers.