A MAN who changed the lives of many through the medical equipment he helped raise funds for has died aged 80.
Ron Kitching's legacy will be the people who have been given a second chance in life thanks to his continuous fundraising through the Grimsby and District Health Care Charity, which he founded in 1997, and his family.
On Sunday, May 26, the man behind the Big Red Heart Appeal died peacefully in his sleep at home in Cleethorpes.
Ron's family have today expressed their sadness at losing someone who was "their hero".
His daughter Susanne, 58, described her father as "her best friend who was truly amazing".
She said: "He always taught my brother Ian, who died in 2008, and I that we could be, and achieve, anything we wanted.
"He was very supportive and was always there for us both.
"Even up to the day he died, a conversation would always end with 'I love you'.
"As sad as I am, my heart is at peace because there was nothing left unsaid. My childhood was idyllic."
Over the past 16 years, Ron has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for medical equipment that will aid cardiac patients at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital (DPOW).
In 1990, Ron had a heart attack himself and a year later underwent major surgery that included a quadruple heart bypass.
This inspired him to begin his fundraising journey as he wanted to provide life-saving equipment locally to help those like himself.
Susanne said all the family are proud of his efforts and achievements over the years.
She added: "I am really pleased he gave the last 20 years of his life in such a compassionate way.
"A lot of people will call my dad a hero and that is nice, but he was no more a hero to anyone than his family."
Ron's wife Janet, 73, will remember him as always putting on a brave face even though he was struggling with his health.
She said: "He would never want to let anyone down and was passionate about his charity work.
"We were together 22 years and shared many laughs together. Our best time was the holidays we took. Overall, we went on seven cruises, including three to the Caribbean."
Ron leaves behind five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Three of his grandchildren Lynsey, Anastasia and Kimberley have shared their best memories of Ron.
Lynsey, who was executive director of the Grimsby and District Health Care Charity for two years, said: "He was more like a dad to us than a grandad.
"We could tell him anything and he would understand.
"He always had the answer and if not he certainly knew someone who did."
Anastasia chose a medical career and says her grandad helped her along the way.
She said: "He arranged work experience for me in the hospital and really encouraged me to succeed."
Kimberley, 31, said: "When we were children my two sisters and I stayed at our grandparents' during one particular summer.
"It was the best as he lived on a farm in South Ferriby at the time and he had all kinds of animals, which we helped look after.
"There was also an orchard so we could just be kids and climb trees."
Since Ron launched the Big Red Heart Appeal in 2010, £94,500 has been raised towards a new heart unit at DPOW.
Diane Fixter, the coronary care ward manager at DPOW, knew Ron for 18 years. She said: "It is a sad time and it is upsetting to think he will not be here to see the new cardiology services at the hospital that he so wanted to be part of.
"Ron headed up the Big Red Heart Appeal, which was set up to raise funds for the new cardiology services planned for the hospital, including a new angiogram suite and a new coronary care unit.
"He organised so many things to raise money, he was always thinking of what to do next.
"He never really stopped and put so much energy and effort into it.
"He had a brilliant sense of humour and kept going even when we all knew he was poorly at times, even when we used to say slow down, take a rest he wouldn't – his strength of character was immense but he was a fighter even until the end, he never wanted to give up.
"I would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Ron's family who must be so proud of all he has achieved."
Steve Wilson has been a trustee of the Grimsby and District Health Care Charity for the past ten years.
He said: "Ron will be sadly missed. He was an exceptional character who was passionate about the charity and put in 100 per cent.
"Even during the last two years when he was really ill, he carried on arranging events and collecting donations."
Ron's funeral will take place at Grimsby Crematorium, on Wednesday, June 12, at 2.20pm.
The family would like anyone who wishes to pay their respects to Ron to attend the service.
ON THE WEB: For more local tributes, visit www.thisisannoucements.co.uk
