Much-loved Eastbourne dad dies aged 42 after '˜epic' cancer battle

Tributes have been paid to Jay Clark, 42, who died after an ‘inspirational and heartbreaking’ 16-month battle with the cancer.

Be More Jay, the blog written from the perspective of his one-year-old son Maxie, announced his death to its almost 6,000 followers on Sunday, February 26.

His partner Caroline wrote, “It’s with a heavy and broken heart that I have to let you know that my handsome one – the simply amazing Jay Clark aka ‘de dad dad man’ – lost his epic pancreatic cancer battle this evening.

“He fought so hard to stay here as long as possible for Maxie and I, and for his much loved family and friends. He’s inspired so many others along the way and did all he could to raise awareness of this terrible disease.

“Thank you for all of your love and support, we couldn’t have done it without you.

“RIP my amazing Jay. Thank you for our miracle Maxie and thank you for blessing our lives with so much love and laughter.

“You’ll always be my perfect weirdo and forever my brave C.H. All our love Maxie and Caroline aka ‘mummy lady’.”

Jay was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, when Caroline was 30 weeks pregnant with their son. He went through months of treatment, all the while sharing his journey online with the hashtag #bemorejay.

Now friends have set up a fundraising page, hoping to raise £5,000 to support Maxie after his father’s tragic death.

It says, “The thing that most upset Jay about his diagnosis was that he wouldn’t be there for Maxie – saying many times that he ‘didn’t want to leave him’.

“Growing up without a father himself, Jay had always vowed to be there for any child he was blessed with. This opportunity has been cruelly taken away from him.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JaysMaxiewish