A well-known Teynham man who was utterly devoted to his family and helped to raise more than £5,000 for charity has died.

David Irving, 59, lost his battle to motor neurone disease in January, just 14 months after he was diagnosed with the devastating illness.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Donna. They were to have celebrated 35 years of marriage later this year.

The couple met when Donna was just 16 when they were both growing up in Faversham.

They had three children, David, Amanda and Hayley, and have always been a close-knit.

David had grown up in Reedland Crescent in Faversham with four brothers and two sisters, and attended both Davington Primary School and Ethelbert Road School.

He had many interests and hobbies, but his biggest passion was spending time with his eight grandchildren.

He shared poignant moments with his son, also David, with their shared interests of golf and fishing.

David said: “My dad was always a joker and was known to everyone to have an amazing sense of humour and staying positive throughout everything.

“But mainly he was a family man who loved his children and grandchildren and liked nothing
more than spending time with them.”

David and Donna had lived in Frognal Lane in Teynham for the past 13 years, after moving from Faversham.

David had managed the under-15 and under-16 Faversham football teams around 14 years ago and was always interested in sports.

When David was diagnosed in January last year, the family clubbed together to raise money for the Motor Neurone Association.

He even took part in an abseil with Hayley and Amanda.

The family have so far raised more than £5,500 and hope to continue their fundraising efforts over the next few years.

A group of Faversham people, including David and his wife Gemma, will be running the Brighton marathon and there will be a fundraising football match later this year.

David added: “We want to continue raising money in memory of our dad. We know that is what he would want.”

David’s funeral will take place at 11am on Friday, February 27 at Teynham Church, and then at Bobbing Crematorium. The wake will be at The Swan in Teynham.

The family has asked for flowers and any donations to their fundraiser. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fightingMNDwithdad