Farwell to a ‘star in their eyes’ George “Juddy” Hamshaw

George “Juddy” Hamshaw (68) — the founder of fund-raising group Stars In Our Eyes — died after developing the very same condition for which his next gig was raising money, an inoperable brain tumour.

He died at St John’s Hospice, Balby, on Sunday, June 2, just weeks after the illness was discovered, and dozens flooded to pay their last respects at his funeral at St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough, on Friday.

Many of those attending wore Stars In Our Eyes T-shirts.

Friend and fellow fundraiser Colin Rufus (60) of Scott Avenue, Conisbrough, remembered Juddy fondly.

“I’ve lost a very, very dear friend,” he said. “Juddy was a big man and his heart was as big as the rest of him.”

One tribute submitted to the Advertiser described Juddy as “a very well respected gentleman... and an ardent fund-raiser, a beloved husband to Joan and a devoted dad and grandad”.

In 2002 Juddy founded Stars In Our Eyes — a group of celebrity impersonators who put on concerts all around the borough.

Tributes on the group’s Facebook page called Juddy “the kindest man ever” and “an inspiration”.

Juddy had planned to host a charity concert to raise funds for a fellow brain tumour patient — five-year-old Darcy Jo Burke, from Darfield.

The Stars in Our Eyes gig went ahead without him, taking place at the Swinton Victoria Club, Mexbrough, on Saturday, and featured singers impersonating Lady Gaga, Cher and Dolly Parton among others.

Colin said: “Everyone in the Stars In Our Eyes cast turned out, which is very unusual — there’s usually one or two who can’t make it.

“Darcy turned up, too. We had about 200 people in and there wasn’t a spare seat anywhere in the house. It was fantastic.”

The event raised over £1,000 for Darcy’s Days, the charity founded to raise money for the Darfield youngster.