A much-loved dad will be remembered this weekend as his family and friends take place in a memorial cruise in his honour.

Dwayne Bratton was 36 when he died on December 18, 2022. The dad of three from Lack died following a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Dwayne was a car enthusiast so his family and friends have come together to raise funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre in his memory.

The Dwayne Bratton Memorial Cruise will take place this Sunday at 2pm from his native Lack.

Speaking to this newspaper, his mother Nan said: “Dwayne was really into his cars, especially Vauxhall Cavaliers and old type cars, he had an interest from no age.

"He was always doing work on his Cavalier and it has now been put through the MOT and his Dad (Geordie) will be driving it for the run.

“He was a very popular and well liked lad, who loved life and lived life to the full.”

A father to Carley (16), Kayne (12)and Demi-Leigh (10), Dwayne is much missed by his family, his mother said: “We all miss him so much, he was sick for five years, but he always made the most of life, he never complained, Dwayne was the type that did not want to annoy or bother anyone.”

As part of his treatment, Dwayne underwent two stem cell transplants, one in December 2020 from his own stem cells and a second in July 2022 donated by his sister Vicky.

Dwayne’s family believe this is a positive way to remember the 36 year old who simply loved cars and machinery, indeed he worked closely with machinery during his career with Seamus McLaughlin Plant Sales in Drumquinn.

The run has been organised by Dwayne’s cousin Warren Bratton who was introduced to cars by Dwayne.

Thanking those who have been involved in the organisation of the memorial cruise, Nan said: “We are grateful to Sandra Bratton from the Fort Knox Bar who has organised so much of this and to all of those who have sponsored prizes, we are so grateful to local businesses, family and friends.”

The run will be departing from the Fort Knox Bar at 2pm and will travel via Lack, Belleek, Bundoran, Enniskillen, Irvinestown, Ederney, before returning to Lack where the Fort Knox bar will host music and a charity raffle in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Donations will be taken on the day from those who will to go on the run and there will be a number of collection buckets in Lack on the day of the run.

Donation in aid of this event can be sent via https://tinyurl.com/ye29ph8r in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre.