A DEVOTED 28-year-old dad who was tragically diagnosed with cancer as his baby was born will be honoured today at a celebration of his life.

Golfer Ben Harvey lost his battle with the disease just weeks before his son Finley’s first birthday.

Today his widow Claudia is defiant his courage will be remembered by raising money for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital cancer ward that cared for him.

Claudia, a veterinary nurse, said: “He was the toughest and strongest person you could ever meet and he touched so many people’s lives.

“To be able to ensure his memory lives on by raising money for the wonderful unit that cared for him in order to help others makes us very proud.”

Claudia, 33, explained how the couple who had been together since they were 16, were enjoying ‘the pinnacle of their lives.'

They had moved in together, renovated a house, got married and were overjoyed when Claudia fell pregnant with their first baby.

“We got to the point where you just exist together and you don’t even think about it being any other way.

“We were winning at life but then without warning our whole world was torn apart. We had no idea quite how ill Ben was,” Claudia said.

Tragedy struck when Ben, who had experienced bleeding, was rushed into Royal Bournemouth Hospital where medics discovered a mass in his bowel and he underwent a series of tests and blood transfusions.

That same night Claudia began having contractions and was taken to Poole Hospital to give birth the following day.

“Ben discharged himself after a second bag of blood so he could meet Fin. He spent 45 minutes with us and had to rush off back to RBH because his blood pressure was so low. I transferred there to be with him so he could sit with us. It was totally horrific," Claudia explained.

"Following tests, when Fin was days old we found out it was cancer.”

Despite an operation and gruelling treatment, the family were told the devastating news the cancer had spread to his liver and there was little doctors could do.

Testament to his positivity, Ben, who played golf for his club, county and country, even completed an 18 hole charity golf tournament 10 days before he died on 8 July 2012.

“Whatever was thrown at him, he was such a special, incredible person who was very courageous.

“He had a saying ‘man up’, he’d say ‘stop whinging, get on with it, be strong’ and so I have gained strength from him.

“Despite the cruelty of it all, I can’t help but feel lucky.

“I feel lucky I met him. We were childhood sweethearts and I feel blessed that I knew what love was and that we had the time to make memories together, and of course someone was looking over us when we had a son and I have my mini Ben. He really is so like his daddy.

“Ben was over the moon to be a dad and Fin has brought so much joy at the darkest time. He is our shining light.

“It has all been very harrowing but we have an amazing support network and we have to be positive because that was Ben.

“Ben is always there. We tell Fin he’s wearing Harry Potter’s invisible cloak so even though we can’t see him, he’s always with us watching over us."

Claudia added: “Ben was always striving to improve our lives and make everything so lovely for us. He wanted the best for us and now we have to live and live our lives for him in his honour. We do what Ben would have liked to do and we keep his memory alive.”

Today Ben's parents Pat and Sue, loved ones and friends will gather for the golf day in his name at Dudsbury Golf Club, Christchurch Road, which has so far raised more than £45,000 for RBH. Claudia, who learnt to play golf after her husband’s death, is inviting everyone along tonight for the charity auction from 8pm.