THE family of a much-loved and brave ambulance service worker whose life was cut short by cancer had expressed thanks to his colleagues, friends and strangers who have been moved to support his dying wish to help the hospice that cared for him.

Darren Baglietto, a senior emergency medical technician with the East of England Ambulance Service, died on 2 July, just ten months after being diagnosed with cancer.

His all too brief battle with the killer disease ended with him being cared for by Havens' Fair Havens Hospice in Southend, but even in his final weeks he was working hard to raise funds to support them.

On a fundraising page – which has just seen his target smashed – Darren wrote: "In September 2021 I was diagnosed with Laryngeal cancer and started chemotherapy and radiotherapy to try and cure the cancer. Despite two operations and extensive treatment I was confirmed palliative in May 2022.

"Havens will take care of my last wishes and make me comfortable when the time comes but it all costs.

Darren with his family at Fair Havens.

"They promote a Pay for the Day challenge which is to raise six thousand pounds to help many people like myself, which I think is an amazing service.

"I have decided to take on this challenge and will be doing some fundraising myself, but with no speech and little strength is where I ask for your help. Any fundraising you can do would be fantastic, any donations you can collect would be any better.

"I have decided to collect the money myself and hand it over in one go as I like the idea of walking in with a £6,000 surprise for them.

"Please, if you can help in anyway your time , strength and courage in helping this cause would be gratefully received."

Sadly Darren, a loving dad and grandfather, did not live to make the last part of his wish come true- but his colleagues, friends and family have made sure the target was not just reached - but smashed.

Darren enjoyed his work withe coastguard service.

Last weekend colleagues at Grays Ambulance Station – and firefighters from the adjacent station – held a fundraising car wash and fun event which proved very successful. It raised £2,820.90 and pushed the fundraising fund through its target.

Darren's widow Maria spoke to Nub News about the man many regarded as a hero for his work, not just with the ambulance service but also the coastguard search and rescue team and Benfleet First responders – but who she knew best as much-love family man.

She said: "Darren loved helping the community and always was doing a charity event, bike rides, climbing down Southend hospital wall and charity walks but above all else he loved his wife, girls and grandchildren. He was a devoted family man. 

I wouldn't normally use Facebook for something like this but Darren was loved by so many I feel this is probably the easiest way to let everyone know 

"Darren will be missed by so many, he loved his family and his NHS family. He has left a huge whole in our life. We would like to say a few thank-yous 

"Thank-you to close family and friends who helped us all through this journey. We couldn't have done it without you. 

Darren's ambulance family organised a successful car wash.

"And to his ambulance family, you truly know the meaning of family and looking after your own so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything and letting him be a part of your family. 

"To Fair Havens Hospice: just wow! The care you gave Darren and us as a family was incredible, knowing you kept Darren safe and looked after him when he needed you. we will never forget this as a family. And to the pallative nurses: you were amazing. You helped us all through our tough times and nothing was ever too much. Thankyou from all of us.

"To the coastguards, you all did amazing and had some crazy jobs. He loved the adventure of not knowing what job was coming in. Thank-you for letting Darren be a part of your team he was buzzing when that pager went off. And to Benfleet first responders - Darren lived for the moment never shy away from a job he loved the not knowing what was coming". 

Darren was much-loved and will be remembered as a hero and an inspiration by many.

Darren's family got together to add: "Dad's last wishes was to raise £6,000 for Havens Hospice. We are thrilled he has now met that goal. Havens Hospice is a lovely place and helped Dad and us so much in such a short amount of time and we will never forget what they did for Dad and us as a family."

If you would like to contribute to Darren's fund for Havens, you can do so via this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/darren-baglietto-havens-hospice?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Yimbyprojectpage&utm_content=darren-baglietto-havens-hospice&utm_campaign=projectpage-share-owner&utm_term=z4QYxqWKV&fbclid=IwAR3__ZU9jIfKJYgT57zx1DJkOcCKsGiWFZBPJeo5ZshA9Bc5IVCsfeM61Qc