A memorial service was today held in Manchester to pay tribute to Rich Bannister, the commercial director of digital agency Degree 53 who has died from cancer aged 30.
Bannister passed away at St Ann鈥檚 Hospice in Manchester on Sunday 10th September after a five-month battle against cancer of the oesophagus. He married his girlfriend Gemma two days before his death.
Bannister had previously worked for Manchester鈥檚 Tecmark and had also been a personal trainer.
Degree 53 has set up a JustGiving page to raise donations for St Ann’s Hospice or the Christie Hospital, which has already attracted more than 拢1,000.
The memorial service was held at St Ann鈥檚 Church, in St Ann鈥檚 Square, Manchester at 11am.
Several of those who attended tweeted tributes to a man who prided himself on having never had a day off sick in his life before he was diagnosed with cancer.
To my lovely friend Rich You will be sorely missed but always remembered. Sleep well x
鈥� No PA. No Gain. (@EmmaMiPA)
Saying goodbye to today. A beautiful service and stories of his life.
鈥� Will Stone (@willstone_UK)
A lovely service to an exceptional man. You will be missed by many many people Bannister. Thank you for the memories
鈥� Gareth Chadwick (@GarethChadwick)
Thinking of and his nearest and dearest today x
鈥� Vikki McCrindle (@Vikmccrindle)
So long fella. Thinking about you alot as nearest & dearest celebrate your life as they say goodbye ??
鈥� Simon Calderbank (@simoncalderbank)
Today my thoughts are with the friends, family and work colleagues at for ‘s service at 11am at Manchester Cathedral
鈥� ChrisMaguire (@editor_Maguire)