A wake is traditionally a social gathering for friends and family to get together to celebrate a person’s life after they have died.

But 61-year-old David Hughes wants to have his wake while he is still around to enjoy it.

The Queenborough resident was diagnosed with prostate cancer last September.

The following month, he was given the devastating news it had spread to his bones and was terminal.

Now he wants to see as many of his friends and family, past and present, as possible while he’s still alive.

Mr Hughes said: “If you grew up in Noreen Avenue, Minster, in the 1960s and 1970s or were at Minster Primary, Sheerness Secondary School for boys, or Sheppey School with me, please come and join us for a fun-filled night.

“Or if you worked with me at Woods Bakery, Klippons, Queenborough Rolling Mill or Morrisons.”

He added: “Life is about making memories and moving on, but it’s also about all the people you know and have met along the way.

“It will be great to have a catch up with people I haven’t seen for a long time.

“Why have a get together when you’re dead?”

"Why have a get together when you’re dead?" - David Hughes

Mr Hughes, who has two daughters, Emma and Lauren, and four grandchildren, Carys, Jayden, Sasha and Savannah, was also captain of the Eastchurch cricket team, Klippons’ cricket and football team, and a member of a number of fishing clubs.

His living wake will take place from 7pm in the Minster Working Men’s Club hall in Union Road on Saturday, April 28.

There will be a disco, playing 1970s and 80s music, a Play Your Cards Right game with a cash prize, a raffle and a buffet.

Any money raised and donations given on the night will go towards prostate and bone cancer research.

Mr Hughes’ sister Miriam Parker, who lives in Minster, said: “If you know David, come and celebrate his life and help him see faces from the past before he leaves us forever.

“He’s such a hard working, decent, nice chap.

“The best big brother I could wish for and always has been.”

She added: “Let’s give him some happy memories to help him through this very tough time.”