Full of life to the end

The family and friends of a man who died of a rare form of cancer are vowing to raise awareness of his illness and money for the charity that researches the condition.

Mr Scott Whittaker (36) of Rubys Walk, Fernwood, died at Nottingham City Hospital on Monday.

His family this week described him as brave to the very end, making the most of every minute of his life.

On September 11, Mr Whittaker married his wife, Suzie, at the Deincourt Hotel, Newark, in a gangster-themed wedding organised by family and friends in a matter of days, so the couple could enjoy their last weeks together as man and wife.

Mr Whittaker’s best friend, Mr Graham Pelling, of Dale Crescent, Fernwood, said: “In his head and his heart, he was Scott right until the end. It was just his body that let him down.”

In the months prior to his death, Mr Whittaker achieved many of his dreams.

A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan, he met manager Harry Redknapp at a match, and sat next to Fabio Capello, the manager of England.

Mr Whittaker was a huge Grand Prix fan and this year attended the British Grand Prix, where he predicted that Jenson Button would win the championship.

Two weekends ago the couple went sightseeing in London as part of their pledge to live the time they had left together to the full.

Mr and Mrs Whittaker recorded a DVD in a mock Big Brother diary room at Madame Tussauds. In the diary room, Mr Whittaker was full of life, dancing to YMCA in his wheelchair and making jokes.

In September last year, Mr Whittaker felt pain in his hip and in December was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis — swelling of the hip.

In June, an MRI scan revealed he had synovial sarcoma, a cancer in the tissue around his left hip. It spread to other parts of his body, including his lungs, and since his diagnosis he had five courses of chemotherapy.

Mrs Whittaker (28) said he asked family and friends to raise awareness of his type of cancer in his memory.

She advised people to get lumps, swellings or aches on joints checked as soon as possible and to get a second opinion if any pain continued.

Mr Whittaker was also determined to raise money for The Sarcoma Trust and had a target of £5,000. More than £1,400 has been raised so far.

Mrs Whittaker described the last months of her husband’s life as the best ever.

“He really was living life to the fullest and he was a joker right to the end,” she said.

“He loved the wedding, every minute of it, because he loved to be the centre of attention. He always said that I was his angel. He needed me and I needed him.”

Mrs Whittaker said that even though he was in a lot of pain, he made sure he stood up to dance their first dance.

Mr Whittaker was a sales representative for Coca-Cola, who supported him throughout. Many of his colleagues attended his wedding.

Mr Whittaker was a founder of Fernwood Foxes football club.

Mrs Whittaker is planning to take on her husband’s role with the club as child welfare officer.

A cup match between Fernwood and Claypole will be renamed the Scott Whittaker Cup in his memory.

Mr Whittaker also leaves a son, Connor (11) mother Penny Whittaker, father Mr Les Whittaker, brother Mr Joe Whittaker (33) and sister Mrs Lindsay Walters (38).

Mr Whittaker’s funeral service will be at Newark Parish Church on Thursday at 1pm, followed by cremation at Ollerton Crematorium at 2.15pm. (Family flowers only).

Refreshments will be served at Fernwood Village Hall from 3pm.

At Mr Whittaker’s request, people are asked to wear football shirts.

To donate to The Sarcoma Trust visit

www.justgiving.com/scottwhittaker