Warm tributes to Chorley grandad who co-founded Derian House children's hospice

Mr Haydock sadly passed away from pneumonia in the Royal Preston hospital on Saturday after suffering heart and diabetes complications, and due to Covid-19 restrictions, his grieving family cannot give him the send off he deserves.

But his children Lesley and Gareth, who live in Eccleston, near Chorley, have asked for donations to be given to his beloved hospice in his memory.

It was Ian’s idea to found a children’s hospital after his devastated family lost his brother, Derek, to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in 1969, aged just 19 - a time when there were very few hospices in the country for children.

He started a fundraising campaign in 1991 and fellow founder Margaret Vinten stepped in to make his dream a reality.

Derian is a mixture of the brothers' names.

Ian’s death comes less than a year after his wife Barbara - who helped him with his dream - and the hospice’s honorary president and founder, Margaret Vinten, both passed away on the same day.Today daughter Lesley said: “ He was really naughty, he had a very wicked sense of humour. He was a practical joker and April Fools Day was like Christmas for him.

“He relished putting crocodile clips on people’s clothing, and playing tricks on my mum.

“But when it came to the hospice he would always turn pink if anyone praised him or thanked him.

“He was really embarrassed, even though it was something he should be proud of. He always said anyone else in that position would have done the same.

“I feel massive pride to be his daughter. We are proud everyday. Derian House has just brought comfort to everyone.”

Ian was born in Preston, but grew up in the Blackstone Road area of Chorley, before the family moved to a farm in Samlesbury.

He first met Barbara, who worked for catalogue firm Great Universal, in a pub, and ‘wooed her’ with a tray of eggs.

The couple became inseparable.

They wed in 1976 at St Mary Magdalene’s church in Preston and had Lesley in 1979 and Gareth in 1986.

Ian also leaves one granddaughter, Carrie-Ann.

David Robinson, Chief Executive of Derian House Children's Hospice, said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Ian Haydock, one of the founders of Derian House, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

"Ian and his family set up a fundraising group back in 1991 with the aim of building a children's hospice for Lancashire after his brother Derek had a life-threatening condition and had to travel outside the area for care.

"The family raised the initial £25,000 and the hospice welcomed its first child through the doors in 1993 when their vision became a reality with the help of local business woman Margaret Vinten. The name Derian is actually a combination of the names of Ian and his brother Derek.

"I was delighted to show Ian and his family around the hospice as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations in 2018. It was heart-warming to see his emotional reaction to the amazing facilities and care we are able to offer.

"I hope Ian's family take some comfort in the fact that his legacy will live on in the name of our hospice and in the good work we do to help children and young people from across the North West."