Three generations of one family will plant daffodil bulbs in tribute to a man who died of cancer.

Martin Maloney died at the Marie Curie Hospice on Maudsley Street, Bradford, on November 15, 2004, aged 63. And on November 18 this year his wife, daughters and grandsons will join others from across the district in planting daffodil bulbs to raise money for the hospice at the Marie Curie Field of Hope at Gilstead Recreation Ground in Bingley.

Described as "large as life" by daughters Suzanne Luxton and Jackie Abbott, Mr Maloney was a well-known figure in Bradford.

For 22 years he worked as a tripe dresser at J Mitchell and Sons market stall in John Street Market - now known as the Oastler Shopping Centre. And during the seven years before his retirement, Bradford-born Mr Maloney became a bus driver in the Keighley and District area.

He is remembered by family as a bubbly character who refused to let ill-health get him down.

But both his daughters said above anything else it had been his role as a grandfather to Jackie's sons James, ten, and six-year-old Daniel, and Suzanne's sons William, three, and two-year-old Jack, that had added an extra shine to their father.

Mr Maloney, of Shipley, was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2004.

During his brief illness he spent time being given palliative care at the hospice. He was also treated at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds before being taken back home, where his wife Mary Maloney cared for him.

But after a week his pain was so intense he requested to return to the hospice, where he was cared for until he died. The sisters said the love and care shown by Marie Curie staff had been wonderful.

Since his death the whole family, including Jackie and Suzanne's older brother Michael, have taken part in various fundraising activities, including the Race for Life and the Great North Run.

The family saw the Field of Hope as another way of paying tribute to both Mr Maloney and Marie Curie.

Jackie said: "It's near Suzanne's house. When we go down there and play with the children it will be nice to see the daffodils."

l Anyone who wants to sponsor daffodils in the Field of Hope campaign will be able to have their bulbs planted at either Lister Park, in Manningham, this Saturday between 10am and noon, or at Gilstead Recreation Ground, next Saturday at the same time.

T&A readers can join in by completing the coupon on this page and sending it to Fundraising Team, Marie Curie Centre, Maudsley Street, Bradford BD3 9LE. For more details e-mail claire.priestwood @mariecurie.org.uk or call (01274) 337035.

e-mail: rebecca.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk