TEARS were shed at Pennington Flash Country Park on Sunday in a fun run which was held in memory of a grandad-of-six who died at the event last year.

Neil Rigby collapsed during the Wigan and Leigh 5k Colour Run at the St Helens Road park in 2017 at the age of 47.

Around 30 members of his family took part in the fun run.

Before the participants set off, Wigan and Leigh Hospice fundraising and lottery manager Maxine Armstrong delivered a speech which commended Neil’s family bravery in turning up for the event.

Neil’s wife of 24 years, June, said: “It was an emotional day throughout.

“We had to do the run for Neil and it was nice to raise some money for the hospice as well.

“The speech by Maxine was so nice and unexpected. It is sad how we met but she has become a good friend of ours since Neil died.”

June recently held a family fun day at St Cuthberts ARLFC in Worsley Hall in which £1,900 was raised to install a memorial bench at Pennington Flash.

A defibrillator has also been set up at Frederick’s at the Pavillion in Mesnes Park in Wigan which was organised by Neil’s sister Lynn Harrison and donated by the company she works for, Milliken Industrials Ltd.

June will also be asking the people to offer ideas to fit another defibrillator in a public place from funds raised.