A MAN described as having lived and breathed Blackburn ice hockey was honoured with the opening of a memorial sensory garden.

Alan Amos, general manager of Blackburn Hawks Ice Hockey Club, died in January following a short battle with bowel cancer.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Yesterday, family, friends, work colleagues and ice hockey players gathered for the opening of Alan’s Garden at Apple Trees Short Break Provision for disabled youngsters in Blackburn. The 49-year-old, known as Alan to family and John to work colleagues at Apple Trees, had wanted the space to be developed for years.

The facility has a wooden pergola with a central water feature and plants. It also has sensory play equipment around the sides including a model of shoes with untied laces in tribute to the fact that Mr Amos often had untied shoelaces.

It cost around £8,500, of which £2,500 was fundraised, and built by staff from Riverside Garden Centre & Landscapes.

Lancashire Telegraph:

A plaque at the garden’s entrance reads “In loving memory of John ‘Alan’ Amos watching over the children of Apple Trees, 1965-2015”.

His widow Tina, 52, and son Steve, 22, said they believed Mr Amos would have loved it.

Steve Amos said that his sister Alison, who lives in Kent, was unable to attend the ceremony as she had just started a new job.

He said: “It was my and my mum’s idea when we found out he was going to pass away. It was something we talked about. He would have absolutely loved it.”

Mrs Amos said: “It was very emotional. The support everyone has given us as a family is amazing.”

Alan Amos’ former work colleague Mel Coglan said: “He always wanted to see this area developed but we never had enough money.”