Tributes to brave Ivan Partridge who raised thousands for Mary Stevens Hospice in his final months

The 55-year-old father-of-three from Quarry Bank lost his brave battle for life on Good Friday (March 25) - just a week after being admitted to the Stourbridge hospice, which he had raised nearly £6,000 for in his final months.

Gutsy Ivan, of Patina Close, who underwent life-changing facial surgery to try and beat the rare form of melanoma, had been determined to raise as much as he could for the Oldswinford charity.

He first raked in under £2,000 for the charity after asking for donations instead of gifts at his wedding at Dudley Register Office to long-time partner Yvonne last August - before undergoing extensive surgery to remove his left eye, jaw and teeth.

Then, despite developing secondary cancer just weeks later, he organised a charity night at The Laurels, Colley Gate, and raised a further £2,734.93 for the hospice - with donations continuing to flow in afterwards.

He was delighted to later present a cheque to the charity for £5,684.93 - but his condition again worsened and, with the cancer having spread to his spine, he lost the use of his legs and was admitted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Ivan, managing director for Italian manufacturing company Motovario in Droitwich, however, refused to give in and continued to send daily emails for work from his hospital bed while undergoing immunotherapy.

On March 18 - just a day after Ivan's fundraising efforts made the News front page - he was admitted to Mary Stevens Hospice and he died a week later with his wife Yvonne by his side.

Diane Moore, the hospice's lottery and promotions manager, said: "This is an extremely sad end to an inspiring chapter in this brave, inspirational man's life. Ivan stared his own mortality in the face and fought his illness courageously and selflessly every step of the way.

"It is amazing that he was able to put aside his fears and look further than his own fate to enable him to devote his precious last months to fundraising for Mary Stevens Hospice.

"As well as the staggering £5,684.93 Ivan raised, his efforts have done so much more because he has brought the charity to the forefront of everybody's mind and he has touched the hearts of the whole community."

Ivan's wife Yvonne said: "He was just amazing and I'm so proud of him. He's done so much good for so many people. Everybody loved him. He was a wonderful husband and a fantastic granddad, step-dad and dad.

"He was full of life and just wouldn't really accept he was so ill and that he wouldn't be here. He was sending emails to work three days before he died."

Yvonne, aged 55, also paid tribute to the care Ivan received at the hospice, saying: "It's most brilliant place. The care they gave was second to none. Everybody should have that service at the end of life but unfortunately they don't. That's why we've got to do more charity fundraising to make sure more people have that privilege."

She said kind-hearted staff even helped Ivan to enjoy a last visit to the pub with his family and friends, adding: "I don't know any other place that would do something like that. They stopped all the traffic and they pushed him over the road to The Crown; it was wonderful.

"It brought a smile to his face. He was so happy. He even managed a pint when he got over there as well."

She is now urging people to back fundraising efforts by Ivan's close friend Richard Stafford, who will be taking on a charity bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in June to raise further cash for the hospice.

Richard, who hails from Stourbridge but now lives in Cheshire, paid a touching tribute to his long-time pal - saying he would be "hugely missed" but he would live forever in people's memories and he added: "Ivan was one of the bravest and nicest people I have ever met, and I am truly proud to have been able to call him my very good friend."

He added: "Myself, all his family and friends and work colleagues at Motovario are going to give him a celebration to remember. He was an amazing guy who never gave up the fight, always believing he could beat it and raising funds right up until his last days."

As well as wife Yvonne - Ivan also leaves a daughter Rebecca, aged 23, step-daughter Emma, aged 28, step-son Aaron, aged 23 and grandsons - Dani, aged 18 months, Harley, aged four, and Hudson, aged 11 months.

He is also survived by his sisters Sandra and Ann and his 93-year-old mum Doris.

His funeral will be held at Wordsley's Holy Trinity Church at 1.45pm on Monday April 18 at 1.45pm followed by a private service for family at Stourbridge Crematorium - and a celebration for everyone who knew Ivan will take place afterwards at Stourbridge Rugby Club from around 4pm.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Richard on the ride in memory of Ivan can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/richard-stafford2