Anybody who knows my children’s paternal family will know 'Uncle Tony', a dear friend and mentor of the Iqbal family, and part of their household.

We are heartbroken to share that our Tony (aka Michael Ellis) passed away, after a brave fight with his failing health, on Sunday 18th May, just before midnight.

Tragically, Tony faced significant hardships throughout his life, especially after losing his mother, Mary, in 1995. With no surviving family, it is our goal to honour his wishes by providing him with a simple cremation in Birmingham, and for his ashes to be interred at Brandwood End Cemetary in Birmingham, where his beloved parents and nan are laid to rest, in the near future. This fundraiser is also to avoid an unattended council funeral in Shrewsbury, where he was being cared for during his final days.

After his retirement from teaching at secondary, further education and private tuition settings, Tony spent the rest of his life devoted to volunteering for various charities, collecting donations throughout the UK for important causes. His selfless spirit and commitment to helping others were an inspiration to our family and to many others.

This request for your kind donation is to give Tony an honourable final farewell, to give back his many years of generosity, and to recognise how much he was loved in this life.

Note: if we are lucky enough to exceed our target and expenses, any surplus funds will be donated to a charity much loved by Tony, the Marie Curie cancer charity