AS preparations continue for the fifth annual fundraiser to be held in Ray Armstrong’s name, organisers hope his memory will continue to inspire record amounts of generosity.

One man who knows how much helping others meant to Mr Armstrong is his son, Hal. He spoke to EMMA PRESTON about the pride he takes in his father’s legacy.

HE may be someone who has trouble making memories but, for Hal Armstrong , 2016 has been an unforgettable year. Over the last six months alone, the 26-year-old Barrovian has proposed to his long-term girlfriend, bought their first house together and moved in time for Christmas. The couple set up in their Spring Grove home at the start of this month, after getting engaged during their summer holiday.

Before he asked Stephanie Wells to be his wife, Hal told only his mum and brother what he had planned. But he knows his dad, had he been able to be there, would have happily given his seal of approval.

Barrow businessman and philanthropist, Ray Armstrong , met his son’s then-girlfriend before his death from liver and pancreatic cancer in April, 2013, and told his son she was a “lovely girl”. Hal describes how glad he is that his father was able to meet Stephanie in the few months he had with his family following his diagnosis in August 2012.

“When he first told me,” Hal admits, “it didn’t really hit me.

“I just thought, ‘We can get past this’. But even the strongest people can lose to cancer, that’s just the nature of the disease.

“Mentally, he was very strong. And my brothers and I, although all different, we’ve all inherited that strength. I also remember my dad once telling me that every strong man needs a strong woman behind him, and the strength my mother has is unbelievable".

Mr Armstrong was a proud dad to four sons and Hal is extremely close to his younger brothers, Hayden and Cavan. His older brother, Pierce, died in 2007 in the same road traffic accident which left Hal with long term injuries affecting his mind and memory.

To this day, Hal applies his dad’s relentless attitude to life to his own continuing determination to keep his brain healthy and active.

“I don’t have many memories, due to my head injury," he explains, “but I will always remember, after the accident, we went on holiday and my dad was running me up and down the stairs to help me get the bend back in my leg.

“My dad was always going forward. He never stopped. I think I’m like that too, I have to strive for something, and I think the drive my dad gave me is my strength.”