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More than \u00a32,000 has been raised in memory of a \u201chilarious\u201d and \u201cdevoted\u201d grandfather who died following a battle with cancer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Michael \u2018Chezzy\u2019 Chester, from Lower Kersal, Salford, passed away after a year-long fight against cancer on Sunday 26 July.<\/p>\n The 66-year-old, who leaves behind two adult children, a teenage daughter and a young granddaughter, has been described as \u201cthe best dad in the world\u201d by his family.<\/p>\n They have launched a fundraiser to help cover the funeral costs and help to ensure his youngest daughter Jade is supported throughout this difficult time.<\/p>\n Thanks to the support of Michael\u2019s friends, colleagues and people from across the city, the family has raised \u00a32,000 in just two days.<\/p>\n \u201cThe level of support has been unbelievable,\u201d said Katie Chester, one of Michael\u2019s older daughters. \u201cMy dad would have been blown away by it.\u201d<\/p>\n Katie explained her father grew up in Lower Kersal in the 1970s and attended St Albert\u2019s school before becoming a mechanic.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had an interest in motorbikes so became a mechanic when he left school, and there his interest in cars grew too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Katie explained how Michael was \u201ca bit of a daredevil\u201d in his youth and appeared on ITV Granada to take on the Globe of Death, a famous gravity-defying stunt where motorcyclists ride at top speed around the inside of a massive steel ball.<\/p>\n The larger-than-life character maintained a social lifestyle. \u201cHe used to be up all night and loved to party\u201d, Katie said, adding, \u201chis friends have sent me so many bullet points and stories about him.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s ability to connect with people served him as well, as he became a taxi driver, and when his youngest daughter Jade came into his life, he channelled that same warmth and energy into being the \u201cbest dad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has shaped Jade\u2019s life for the better, and she turns 18 in a few weeks so he has done his job,\u201d Katie highlighted.<\/p>\n When Michael was 57, he was admitted to hospital with sepsis and put in a medically induced coma with just a 20 per cent chance of survival.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe he survived sepsis to bring Jade up. She really needed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s daughter described how, in his final days in hospital, his fun-loving nature never diminished.<\/p>\n \u201cEven up until his death he was flirting with the nurses,\u201d Katie recalled, laughing.<\/p>\n Wanting to watch England\u2019s World Cup semi-final against Argentina from the balcony during a family trip to Blackpool, he had the energy to nip down to Argos and buy a television to screen the match. Katie said that spontaneity and sense of fun made him special: \u201cIt was the kind of person he was, he\u2019d just love to do things like that, and it would make us smile.\u201d<\/p>\n After realising the \u201cshocking\u201d amount needed to cover funeral costs, the family launched a crowdfunder to help overcome the financial burden.<\/p>\n More than \u00a32,000 has been raised so far through the GoFundMe campaign, which has a target of \u00a33,000.<\/p>\nMichael \u2018Chezzy\u2019 Chester with his family. <\/p>\n
Motorbike enthusiast Michael Chester attempted the famous Globe of Death stunt. <\/p>\n
Michael \u2018Chezzy\u2019 Chester with his family ahead of an England game at the World Cup. <\/p>\n