A 30-YEAR-OLD cancer sufferer described as 'one of life's good guys' has lost his battle with the disease.

'Kind, caring and selfless' Adam Livesey died surrounded by his family and friends at his home.

Although his family said he had been 'struggling' with the illness over the past few weeks, his death from terminal bowel cancer on Monday came as a 'devastating shock'.

Mr Livesey's sister Laura Archer, 34, said she hoped he would have months left to live.

She said: "He was just one of the good guys.

"Everyone loved him, he was just so selfless and thoughtful, nobody had a bad word to say about him.

"My two kids always called him 'silly uncle Adam', he was always making them laugh.

"It just came so sudden, I think he was trying to hide how unwell he was to everyone.

"But he was Adam right until the end."

A £250,000 fundraising campaign was set up earlier this year by Mr Livesey's family and friends to send him to Germany for special proton therapy unavailable in the UK.

The treatment was 'potentially life saving' and more than £8,500 had been raised so far.

This money will now be donated to a Leukaemia charity, as Mr Livesey's older sister Dee died from the illness on Christmas Day 1990 age 14.

Mrs Archer said this decision was in line with what her brother had wanted if the money could not be used to help him.

She said: "No parent should ever have to bury a child, let alone two.

"Dee's death brought me and Adam closer together, we would always be there for each other.

"I said to him 'who am I going to talk to now when mum and dad drive me potty?'

"He was always just their little boy.

"I have two children myself and I don't know how they've been so strong, they're doing Adam proud."

Mr Livesey, of Adelaide Street, Clayton-le-Moors was diagnosed in February with an aggressive bowel cancer, which has spread to his liver and lymph nodes, making it inoperable.

However, his family said he had been feeling unwell since before Christmas and had been visiting doctors to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

The former Accrington Moorhead High School pupil, who loved spending time with his dog Roxy, a Dalmador, was a big Arsenal and Formula One fan and he met Lewis Hamilton last year.

The keen walker, who attended Accrington St John Primary School, was building fabric technician for Romec, part of the Royal Mail Group.

He met his girlfriend Leah Duxbury at the Crown pub in Clayton-le-Moors over Christmas.

The 30-year-old said: "He used to call me his princess, but I'm the least princess-y girl you'll ever meet, but he was just my prince.

"I might have only known him since Christmas but he was the love of my life.

"I was always the one falling apart and he was the one being strong, he was the one supporting everyone."

As well as his sister and girlfriend, Mr Livesey leaves parents Jen and Dave Livesey and nieces nine-year-old Macy and Eleanor, six.

Mr Livesey's funeral will take place on Monday at Accrington Crematorium at 3pm before a wake will be held at Burnley Road Bowling Green Club.

Family flowers have been requested only with any donations in his memory to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

Several events such as family fun days had been arranged as part of the fundraising campaign over the summer.

Mr Livesey's family said they are hoping they will still go ahead, but now in his memory.