CARL Gray was just 33 years old when he lost his battle with bowel cancer.

Now friends and family are organising a fundraising party in his memory this weekend.

His father Robert said his son, who would have celebrated his 34th birthday next week, always loved a good party.

“Carl was so friendly and fun-loving – he was the life and soul, which is why we want to create an event that he would have been proud of,” he said.

Carl, who lived with his wife Caroline in Southbourne, also left behind a 12-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old stepson.

“The money raised will be for the Macmillan unit at Christchurch where Carl spent a considerable amount of time during his final months,” Mr Gray added. “He wanted any funds we raised to go towards helping other people who need the same kind of specialist care.”

Carl was diagnosed with the disease in February 2011 and died a year later.

“He had been feeling a bit under the weather but he had spent the New Year in Bulgaria and had a good time so it was such a shock when he had a scan and was told there was nothing the doctors could do.”

The Carl Gray memorial evening will be held on Saturday from 8pm to 11pm at the Alika Club in Bournemouth. The event includes a raffle with prizes from firms including Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Olympic GB kit, Farmer Palmer’s, KwikFit, Sunderland FC, AFC Bournemouth and McLaren F1.

Tickets cost £5 or £10 for three through donations at justgiving.com/CarlGray or for more information visit facebook.com/events/394903760583344.