Tributes paid to cancer charity stalwart

Alan Taylor, of Shaw Cross, grew up in Thornhill and attended Dewsbury Technical School.

While working for a Bradford textile firm, he gave a lift to a man standing at a bus stop who told him about the work of Macmillan and said that the Dewsbury fundraising committee was looking for a treasurer.

Mr Taylor began doing the committee’s accounts for free and over the years, he and his wife Joan collected on street corners and organised countless coffee mornings, sponsored walks and other events which helped pay for the training of Macmillan nurses.

Mr Taylor received the president’s medal from the fund’s patron, the Duchess of Kent in 1995.

The couple enjoyed their diamond wedding anniversary last year.

Singing was an important part of Mr Taylor’s life. His talent took him as far as the Royal Albert Hall and America. Mr Taylor was also a member of Briestfield Ramblers, who organised an annual sponsored walk which raised more than £65,000 for Macmillan over 25 years.

He retired aged 72, but carried on doing voluntary auditing for various small charities.

“His charity work was an absolute godsend to him – he made so many good friends over the years,” said Mrs Taylor.

Macmillan fundraising manager Maria Amos said: “It was a pleasure and an honour to have been able to know such a gentleman, a hard worker and real ambassador for the charity, who will be sadly missed.”