Collier Row boy’s heartfelt tribute after dad dies of cancer

Five-year-old Dominic Barker of Collier Row said he “loved” and “missed” his dad, James Barker, who died from a brain tumour aged just 39 in February.

The Collier Row man had spent eight weeks at King George and Queen’s Hospitals before he died, leaving his two sons, Harrison and Dominic, and wife Emma heartbroken.

Dominic told the Recorder : “My dad was so kind, caring and funny – he was my hero.”

James Barker, 39, passed away in February this year due to brain tumour (Image: Emma Barker)

Now Dominic, five, is setting out to thank staff who cared for him.

Dominic will be completing a three-mile sponsored walk this Father’s Day (June 18) in memory of his father and to raise money for King George and Queen’s Hospitals charity.

He added: “I want to say thank you to all the nurses and doctors who looked after him, and try to help other mummies and daddies in hospital.”

So far Dominic has already raised ten times more than his original target of £150.

He hopes the money will help future patients, their families and “other mummies and daddies in hospital".

His mother Emma said she “couldn’t be more proud” of Dominic, who she says is doing “an amazing job”.

Brother Harrison, 18, added: “Please support him as he continues to help our local hospitals.”

James Barker with his two sons, Harrison and Dominic (Image: Emma Barker)

Lynda Head, head of fundraising at King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity, told the Recorder that Dominic is one of their youngest fundraisers and has “touched the hearts of so many”.

She added: “Donations such as this will be spent buying the extra items that are not typically within the NHS budget.”

Dominic will be starting his walk at King George Playing Fields in Romford on June 18 at 10 am supported by friends and family.

Donations can be made to his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-barker30.