‘Richard was like a brother to us’ – colleagues raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in his memory
BY CALUM FRASER
calum@slpmedia.co.uk
Richard Lee’s colleagues have not changed his workspace since he left the office on June 10, 2016.
The Woolwich resident, who was a popular depot train driver, died of oesophageal cancer aged 58 in 2017.
Richard’s colleagues have left his locker exactly as it was and they retired his radio call sign at exactly 4.30pm, the time he left work for the last time.
Now, the father’s friends and family are raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support in Richard’s memory.
Depot driver Kevin Lawrence worked with Richard for eight years.
Kevin said: “He was our brother. Everyone would phone and text him to see how he was doing and we would visit him as often as possible.
He was so popular. I still find it hard to talk about now – he was there for everyone.
We thought it would be nice to do something for Rich, so we mentioned it to him before he died and he loved the idea and was up for it.
We asked who he’d want to raise money for and he said Macmillan.
It’s nice that we’re finally able to see it through, for him.”
Kevin and his colleagues took a space in Victoria railway station on December 12, 13 and 14.
They sold a painting of Clapham Junction by Richard’s fine artist cousin Paul Hiles.
The painting includes personal references and memories of Richard’s life, including a nod to Pink Floyd – one of his favourite bands – and a small train drivers’ key hidden within the cityscape.
Paul said: “Macmillan had really been there for Richard and his family – he said their help was a godsend, helping arrange delivery of his pain medication when he wasn’t as mobile, and he had the support of a Macmillan nurse.”
The group has raised more than £4,000 so far.
Richard first saw a doctor in November 2015 and again after Christmas.
By January 2016, he’d been given the news he had incurable but treatable cancer.
He died in February 2017.
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My grandads a lovely man and man who I’ll always look up to and remember love you grandad