Heartbreaking.

There is no other word.

A proud father who doted on his only daughter.

Who was always there as she grew up.

And a daughter, Lauren, who loved her father more than words can say.

And then, in May, Chris Lyddiatt was taken to hospital with a suspected blood clot.

The following month he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.

Just four weeks later, on July 17, and with the two women he liked to call ‘his girls’ – Lauren and her mum Jen – by his side he passed away in Poole Hospital.

Chris was 56.

Lauren said: “I was completely and utterly devastated.

“It’s left a massive void.

“I have to convince myself that he hasn’t gone away on holiday.

“It’s just such a tragedy.

“I was a 100 per cent daddy’s girl.

“Because he had to retire early from a back injury in his thirties he was always there for me.

“We were incredibly close and shared so many interests.

“When I was at university we would speak daily.

“Now I visit his resting place at Harbour View every day.

“It still doesn’t feel real.”

A proud Welshman – Lauren and Chris used to watch the rugby together – he played golf at Wareham Golf Club and was a founder member of David Lloyd Poole.

He also liked the occasional beer but didn’t smoke.

And while smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer – the most common cancer in the world with over 46,000 people diagnosed with it in the UK every year – 28 per cent of lung cancer cases aren’t caused by smoking.

Now Lauren, 22, a newly graduated primary school teacher, and her mum Jen, a prominent and well-known member of the Dorset business community, are determined to raise awareness of the disease.

In particular, the work of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the only UK charity dedicated to fighting lung cancer and supporting patients and their families.

It was founded by Professor Ray Donnelly MBE FRCS, a leading authority on lung cancer, in 1990.

Three years later he enlisted the help of Roy Castle, the popular entertainer, during the last eight months of his life to help the charity grow.

Its latest campaign – Spot the Difference – aims to raise awareness of the different symptoms of lung cancer as the sooner it is detected, the easier it is to treat.

Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive, was among those paying their condolences to Jen and Lauren for their loss saying: “Sadly we are losing too many people far too soon to this terrible disease.

“It is so important to raise awareness that lung cancer can affect anyone and it is not just a smokers disease.”

Lauren’s boyfriend, Harvey Nichols, 23, is now running the Brighton Marathon on September 12 to raise money for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The couple, pictured with Chris after Lauren’s graduation, have been together for five years and it is Harvey’s first marathon.

Harvey said: “Chris always brought a smile to those around him and lived life to the max.

“I now want to run this marathon in honour of him, his life and to raise awareness and funding for this horrific disease.”

Harvey has set a target of £560 in honour of Chris’ “incredible 56 years of life”.

So far £1,622 has been raised.

Lauren said: “Harvey has been absolutely amazing throughout.

“We’ll all be cheering him on.

“If we can help raise awareness and, perhaps, prevent someone going through what we have then I’ll feel that we’ve achieved something.”

• To sponsor Harvey please click here.