FAREWELL: Neil Smith at the camping ground he ran with his wife Ann. PHOTO/FILE
FAREWELL: Neil Smith at the camping ground he ran with his wife Ann. PHOTO/FILE
A Greytown man whose ill health prompted his grandson to set up a "mop chop for poppa" fundraiser has lost his brave battle against cancer.
Neil Smith died on Monday, having been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2012.
The former builder and Greytown volunteer fireman had until recently beenrunning the camping ground in Soldiers Memorial Park with his wife Ann but the couple had to relinquish the lease in April due to Mr Smith's deteriorating condition.
News of Mr Smith's illness was made public when his devoted grandson Ceejay Dennes set about raising money for the Cancer Society Wairarapa.
Ceejay told his mum Deb Dennes he wanted to raise $250 but just over a week after launching his "mop chop for Poppa" fundraiser, which involved the boy getting his head shaved to support his grandfather who had undergone chemotherapy, this amount had leapt to $2400.
His younger brother Koby joined in along with wider family members and friends and they raised over $7000 from the people of Greytown and online donations.
A service for Mr Smith is to be held in St Lukes Anglican Church, Greytown, tomorrow.
