Tribute as 'inspirational' cystic fibrosis sufferer dies, aged 73
A man who was an inspiration to people suffering from cystic fibrosis has died.
Throughout his life Roy Cole MBE was an example to others that you can live a full life with the disease.
The condition, which affects the lungs and digestive system, usually claims the lives of sufferers by the time they reach their 40s.
But Mr Cole has died after suffering complications with the disease at the age of 73.
He was today described as "inspirational" and "a hero" after spending his life encouraging younger people with the disorder and raising money for charity.
Mr Cole, of Walkmill Road, Market Drayton, is survived by his wife Liz, 61, and his brother Alan, 75, who lives in Ghana, as well as nieces and nephews.
Mrs Cole said: "The average age for people with the disease to live to is in their 40s and he was 73.
"If we went to an event there would be lots of young people there who would have cystic fibrosis so he would tell them they've got a lot of time to catch him up.
"He wanted to give people hope because all they would have heard is the bad things."
She added:"People said he was an inspiration and a hero to them."
She said her husband had raised thousands of pounds over the years, but she had no idea how much.
Mr Cole completed a walk from London to Brighton, parachute jumps, and organised an annual bus pull in Market Drayton in aid of the town's Lions group, the charity Dream Holidays, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Children in Need, as well as others.
He was very surprised when he was awarded an MBE for his services to charity in 2002, which was presented by Prince Charles.
Mr Cole worked as a bus driver for Arriva in Wellington, Telford, after moving to Market Drayton in 1988.
He retired at the age of 65 and was pleased he had been able to be one of the people to complete a full working life despite his disease.
His funeral, which he planned himself, will be held at Telford Crematorium on August 23 at midday.
Donations will be collected for the University Hospital of North Staffordshire Charity for Cystic Fibrosis.
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