Ditching the razor in memory of dad

Lee Pepper (36) lost his “hero” father, Ray Pepper, on July 12 after he was diagnosed with three malignant brain tumours in September 2015.

The father and son lived just a few yards from each other in Maltby and were part of the same snooker team - Maltby Miners Welfare B - and loved to go fishing together.

Ray (66) worked at Morrisons in Bramley on the trolleys and loved a “joke and a giggle”, said Lee.

“He was always there for me, he was a top dad.”

Dad-of-one Lee, of Morrell Street, said his snooker team was like a second family to him and they came together to carry Ray’s coffin in their team strip.

Lee said: “We are a close-knit team, it’s been a rough road but the snooker lads have helped.”

Team-mate Adam Wells (27) came up with the idea of raising money for Rotherham Hospice, where Ray enjoyed respite days making wind chimes for his family.

Lee said: “Adam came up with the idea of not cutting our hair for a year, and then I said ‘we won’t have a shave either’.”

The pair started the challenge in April and were aiming to raise £300 in 12 months, but have already raised more than £500 through sponsorship.

“It’s been brilliant, I am usually clean shaven and shave my head bald, but now I look like a Yeti, I’ve never had hair this long,” said security guard Lee.

Father-of-two Ray, who adored his only grandchild Max (4), “loved” visiting Rotherham Hospice and taking part in activities in the months before his death, Lee said.

To donate to Lee and Adam visit http://tinyurl.com/gv836or or pop into the Hospice shop on High Street, Maltby.