THE Failsworth stepson of a doctor who died of Covid just days before the first vaccine was administered in the UK, has raised thousands of pounds in his memory.

Dr David Weir, was a respiratory and lung cancer specialist at North Manchester General Hospital for 30 years and had recently moved to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, when he contracted Covid in late October, 2020.

Efforts to treat him on a ventilator failed and he died on December 3. Five days later Margaret Keenan, 91, became the first UK person to be vaccinated.

His stepson Callum Holland from Failsworth, who was brought up by David from the age of 11 said he wanted to do something to pay tribute to David’s life and to support his mum, David’s wife Jane a Macmillan Advanced Nurse Specialist in lung cancer at North Manchester General Hospital.

Callum, a personal trainer, ran the Manchester Marathon on Sunday and has so far raised more than £2,200 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

He said: “I was very lucky to have David in my life. He taught me a lot and was just a brilliant example of how to live your life. He was devoted to his work and to my mum.

“Growing up he was always firm but fair with me which I needed. He would always listen. He was such a good man. As I got older I really appreciated his approach to life. He had a work ethic and was so disciplined. He would always get up early and make the most of the day, which is what I do too and I owe that and so much more to David.”

Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising manager Rose Tipton said: “Dr Weir’s death was a tragedy and a shock to so many friends and colleagues from within the clinical world, but of course it was his wife Jane and his children and stepchildren who were affected the most by his death from Covid aged just 63.

“It is wonderful that Callum is able to pay tribute to his stepdad in this way. Through raising funds for Macmillan, he is helping to support the patients who Dr Weir spent his career caring for and who his mum Jane continues to support as a Macmillan Advanced Nurse Specialist in lung cancer. We are very grateful to them all.”

To sponsor Callum visit the justgiving website and search his full name.