A CANCER sufferer, who spearheaded a campaign to bring a pioneering US cancer treatment to the UK, has died unexpectedly.

Lenny Kirk, 48, of Ragpath Lane, Stockton, suffered from lung cancer and his friends and family raised more than £22,000 to pay for his treatment at a New York hospital, which his wife found on the internet.

The former tank driver flew to the US where he underwent pioneering "body radiosurgery," which involves targeted bursts of super-strength radiation that attacks difficult-to-reach tumours.

Speaking in October 2003, Mr Kirk told The Northern Echo how he had been informed by the NHS that he should have died in 2001, but that the US treatment had prolonged his life beyond his expectations.

He campaigned tirelessly to help bring the one of the US machines, used by New York cancer specialist Dr Gil Lederman, to the North-East.

The New York specialist developed the revolutionary way of using radiotherapy, called body radiosurgery, and more than 30 North-East patients have sought his help.

Debbie Gale, whose father went to Dr Lederman for treatment, campaigned with Mr Kirk and others to bring the pioneering treatment to the UK.

"We are all really shocked by his sudden death," she said. "Lenny was doing so well. "He was such a lovely man and always helping other people.

"He was a real fighter and wouldn't give up.

"We are all deeply saddened and will miss him. He and his family had become our friends."

Mr Kirk's wife, Debbie, said: "It was so sudden and unexpected. There were no warnings at all. I just can't believe it.

"He was given time that he wouldn't have had otherwise.

"He was told he had three to six months and it would have been three years in May."

Mr Kirk, who fulfilled his hope of seeing his daughter turn 13 last August, died on Sunday.