THE WIDOW of cancer victim Darren Mountford is calling for his friends to attend a party on what would have been his 30th birthday at the end of this month.

Kerrie Mountford has lost touch with some of her husband's friends in the two years since lorry driver Darren died of testicular cancer in January 2002.

The last time they were gathered together was for his funeral.

Now Kerrie, 34, wants to hold a

happier event to toast what would have been a landmark birthday.

"I always said I would give Darren a 30th birthday and he always said he wouldn't be here for it - so we're going to hold it in his memory," she said.

"I know emotions are going to be running high but I want people to come and celebrate."

Darren, of Ellis Road, Thornhill, touched the hearts of thousands of Daily Echo readers with his diary of the final months of his fight against a complex form of testicular cancer, which spread to his liver.

Since his death, Kerrie has been ensuring his memory is kept alive.

She has made a scrapbook about him for their daughters Chloe, 6, and Natasha, 3, who also keep pictures of their father in their bedroom.

"We're always talking about him," said Kerrie.

"I ran it past his friends and family and they thought a party was a good idea. It seems appropriate."

Any of Darren's friends who wish to attend the party on July 30 are asked to call Kerrie on 0783 8197886 for more details.