A FATHER has paid tribute to his brave son who died after fighting a three-year battle against leukaemia.
John Catlow, of Blackburn Road, Rishton, described his son Simon as a positive, outgoing person who refused to feel sorry for himself.
John, 57, said: "Simon was a very outgoing lad with a lot of friends. He loved going out and having a good time, just like many other young people of his age.
"He didn't want anybody to feel sorry for him, he just wanted to make the best of the life he had.
"He was a very active person."
Simon was first diagnosed with leukaemia in 2001 and in July this year he became unable to walk, due to tumours pushing against his spinal chord.
He finally lost his battle against the illness when he died at Christie's Hospital, Manchester, on 27 September, aged just 24.
He was a former pupil of St Christopher's High School, Accrington, and worked at Blackburn-based St Ives Multimedia.
John said: "He woke up one day and was unable to walk.
"Later on, he became paralysed from the shoulders down as the illness got worse.
"He was in a lot of pain at the end and he was on a lot of pain-killing drugs, but the staff were wonderful and did everything they could for him.
"Nothing was too much trouble and he had the best treatment available."
A service was held last Tuesday at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Rishton, and he was cremated at Pleasington.
The service was attended by relatives and friends, including his partner Jennie, his three-year-old son Ben and his older brother Andrew, 27.
John added: "He even organised a list of what he wanted doing with all his stuff, including all his gadgets, which he loved.
"The church was absolutely packed on the day.
"At least 150 people turned up and I have had about 120 cards from all his friends. I know he wouldn't want people to be moping around. He would just want them to get on with life."
Instead of flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to the Young Oncology Unit at the Christie Hospital.
