THE daughter of a terminally ill clergyman has described how cancer has “stripped everything away from him.”

Rev. Canon Philip Cunningham led services at York Minster during a distinguished career, which saw him serve as the vicar of St Nicholas’ Church in Gosforth from 2002 to 2018.

After retiring to Hexham with wife Ann in 2018, he became a familiar face in the town, helping at the local food bank, before taking services at Hexham Abbey.

But during lockdown in May, Rev. Cunningham was diagnosed with secondary perineal cancer.

The 67-year-old was given a prognosis of six months, but his health has deteriorated quicker than anticipated.

“He is now very ill and entering the final few months if not weeks of his life,” said his daughter Hilary Brookes. “The cancer has stripped everything away from him.”

Hilary, who lives in Chichester with husband Chris and two sons, aged five and three, said the family had been spending time in Hexham to be with her parents.

She described Rev. Cunningham as a lovely man, and a real character who had helped so many people. The mum-of-two is preparing to embark on a mission to raise her father’s spirits.

Hilary will run 60-miles during the month of September in aid of Cancer Research UK.

She added: “I found it very difficult to watch someone I love go through so much suffering and felt the need to take positive action at a time when we all felt so helpless. I am so glad I have taken this on whilst dad is still with us so that he knows he is still making a difference.

“Hopefully by raising money we can reduce the number of people suffering in this way in the future.”

After setting up a funding page with the aim of raising £150, the total already stands at almost £1,400. Hilary, who married Chris in a service taken by her father in Gosforth seven years ago, said she was grateful for donations to her page. To donate visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/356021432085002/