Tribute to a Legend

Gordon Lamb, who has sadly passed away at the age of 77, after developing lung cancer, was a familiar figure around the pubs and bars of Headingley. For ten years after the death of his wife from cancer, he dedicated his time to collecting money and raising awareness for Cancer Research UK.

Gordon rarely missed a weekend’s collecting despite suffering from arthritis and relying on a walking stick to get around. Over the years he raised many thousands of pounds for the charity, as well as bringing a smile to the faces of staff and customers alike, with his unquenchable cheerfulness and good manners.

So loved was he that there was even a Facebook group set up in his honour called, affectionately, “Cancer Research Man, You’re a Legend”. The Original Oak Pub, where Gordon was so often to be found, held a memorial on 8th December to celebrate Gordon’s work. Matt Clark, who works at the Oak, said he was “a truly dedicated man, always determined to make his collections no matter the weather. What a legend!” Sentiments echoed, I’m sure, by many.