The wife of a Norfolk man who died after battling cancer has thanked supporters of her late husband's memorial fund after it helped to get two benches and a tree planted at a park near their home.

Eastern Daily Press: Roz Simpson with her daughters Tracy, left and Natalie and grandchildren Ryan and Layla on one of the benches in memory of her late husband Steve. The benches and a tree in his memory are in Millenium Green Park, Lingwood. Photo: Steve AdamsRoz Simpson with her daughters Tracy, left and Natalie and grandchildren Ryan and Layla on one of the benches in memory of her late husband Steve. The benches and a tree in his memory are in Millenium Green Park, Lingwood. Photo: Steve Adams

Stephen Simpson, from Lingwood, died in March 2011 after being diagnosed with choroidal melanoma - a cancer of the eye - which later spread to his liver and lungs.

The former RAF rigger had his eye removed in 2007 but by 2010 the cancer had returned and despite three courses of chemotherapy, Mr Simpson died aged 58.

Rosalind Simpson, of Post Office Close, said her husband 'took it all in his stride' and described the moment she first saw the benches and tree at the Millennium Green park as 'bittersweet'.

A nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, she said: 'It is sad to see the benches and see the name on them but it's quite nice to think there's somewhere people can sit and have a rest - even if they did not know who Stephen was.

'It was just so lovely and so nice to think that other people cared about him and regarded him in such a nice light.'

Mrs Simpson said it was thanks to the suggestion of some of her husband's former work colleagues that the memorial fund began and with the help of family and friends, the fund has raised nearly £2,000.

And more than £300 for the charity Help for Heroes has also been raised in his memory.

Mr Simpson, who worked as a senior IT support analysis in Great Yarmouth, fulfilled his ambition to ride along America's Route 66 in 2007.

In the summer of 2011 his fellow Suzuki Intruder UK Forum members toured around the Norfolk countryside and coast in his memory.

Mrs Simpson added: 'He was never miserable and never down. He was so incredible and took whatever life threw at him.'

• Are you doing something special to pay tribute to a loved one? Call reporter Donna-Louise Bishop on 01603 693892 or email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk.