There are some people whose legacy is far greater than they could ever imagine. Colin Micklewright was one of those people.

Colin was a Trustee and Treasurer, fundraiser and steadfast supporter of the Sunrise Appeal for many years, but to those who knew him, he was so much more than that. He was kind, generous, principled, endlessly positive and always willing to give his time to help others.

Following his passing in March, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate an extraordinary life and to thank Colin for everything he gave to the Sunrise Appeal and to the countless people whose lives he touched along the way.

Born in Market Harborough in 1941 and raised in Suffolk, Colin qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1965 before embarking on a career that took him across the world. He worked in London, the Netherlands and South Africa, holding senior financial and accountancy roles before eventually returning to the UK.

During his time in South Africa, Colin worked for Mobil Oil and later Norwich Union, where he became Chief Accountant covering the whole of Southern Africa. Yet it was not career success alone that defined him. Faced with the realities of apartheid, Colin made the difficult decision to leave rather than compromise his values – a choice that reflected the integrity and courage that would shape the rest of his life.

In 1980, Colin settled in Cornwall and established his own accountancy practice. He built not just a successful business but one founded on trust, dedication and genuine care for the people he worked with. Even into later life, he continued working because he simply loved helping others (and had too much energy to retire!).

Alongside his professional career, Colin dedicated more than 35 years to charitable work within the health sector. Supporting others was never something he did for recognition; it was simply part of who he was. As Trustee and Treasurer of the Sunrise Appeal, Colin brought invaluable expertise, wisdom and commitment to the charity. He was passionate about ensuring people in Cornwall affected by cancer had access to the very best treatment, facilities and innovative care.

One of Colin’s most significant contributions came in 2018, when he was at the heart of one of the defining moments in the Sunrise Appeal’s history. At the time, NHS England was considering proposals that could have resulted in some Cornish cancer patients being forced to travel out of the county for treatment, raising concerns about the future of services provided by The Sunrise Centre at Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Colin worked tirelessly alongside fellow trustees, healthcare professionals, supporters, Cornwall’s MPs and the local media to help raise awareness of the public consultation and encourage people to make their voices heard by completing an online survey. It was a cause he cared deeply about, understanding how important it was for patients to receive treatment as close to home as possible, surrounded by the support of family and friends.

The response from Cornwall was extraordinary. Of the 12,000 survey responses submitted to NHS England’s consultation across the UK, more than 11,000 came from Cornwall, making it the largest response NHS England had ever received to a public consultation of its kind. The campaign was ultimately successful, helping to ensure that all patients would continue to receive radiotherapy treatment at The Sunrise Centre in Truro, rather than being forced to travel out of Cornwall.

It remains one of the Sunrise Appeal’s proudest achievements and a lasting part of Colin’s legacy. Thanks to his determination, commitment and willingness to stand up for cancer patients, countless people across Cornwall continue to benefit from having access to world-class cancer treatment right here in the county.

The impact of that campaign is still being felt today. Every patient who receives treatment at The Sunrise Centre benefits from the determination of those who fought to protect those services, and Colin was at the heart of that effort. His commitment to cancer care in Cornwall extended far beyond his role as Trustee and Treasurer; he was passionate about making a tangible difference for patients and their families.

Perhaps what made Colin so special was that he never just talked about making a difference – he got out and did it. When he celebrated his 80th birthday in March 2021, he marked the occasion in a way that perfectly reflected his character. A passionate golfer and former Club Captain at Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club near Bodmin, Colin set himself the challenge of playing 80 holes of golf in a single day to raise money for the Sunrise Appeal.

Supported by fellow golf club members Colin Mutton, who completed the challenge alongside him, Graham Cuff, who acted as caddy and buggy driver, and Curly Hunt, whose job was to help spot golf balls, Colin set off at 6.20am on a perfect golfing day. Nearly twelve hours later, at 6.35pm, the challenge was complete.

The two Colins had walked almost 33 miles, lost just three golf balls between them and stopped only briefly after 44 holes. BBC Radio Cornwall followed Colin’s progress throughout the day, checking in four times and helping shine a spotlight on the work of the Sunrise Appeal. Colin had originally hoped to raise £5,000 through sponsorship and a golf club raffle, but thanks to the incredible support of fellow golfers, friends, family and local businesses, he had raised an extraordinary £10,500 for the Sunrise Appeal. The challenge captured so much of what made Colin special: determination, generosity and a genuine joy for life that was impossible not to be swept up in.

He approached the world with curiosity, enthusiasm and a sense of adventure that never left him. Whether pursuing a new interest, exploring somewhere new or taking on a fresh challenge, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the things he loved. He enjoyed sport throughout his life, playing everything from hockey and squash to tennis and golf. He was also a devoted and passionate supporter of Ipswich Town F.C., following the club with unwavering enthusiasm throughout the years. He had a lifelong fascination with history, particularly the Second World War, and treasured the opportunity to fly both a Spitfire and a Lancaster bomber in honour of his family’s wartime connections. He loved adventure and travel, particularly South Africa, which remained close to his heart throughout his life. Yet all those achievements and experiences tell only part of the story.

More than anything, Colin will be remembered for the person he was. He brought warmth, humour and generosity wherever he went, and had a remarkable ability to make people feel valued. He was genuinely interested in others, always ready with encouragement and never too busy to offer his time, support or a listening ear.

Family was at the heart of Colin’s world. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he took immense pride in those he loved. Whether sharing adventures, cheering from the sidelines or encouraging his grandsons to be brave and embrace new experiences, he was always fully present, engaged and proud.

Those who knew Colin will remember not only his kindness and wisdom, but also the laughter he brought with him. He had a wonderful sense of humour, a gift for storytelling and a knack for finding joy in everyday moments. There was always a story to tell, often at his own expense and usually accompanied by plenty of laughter, a mischievous smile and that unmistakable twinkle in his eye.

The Sunrise Appeal owes Colin an enormous debt of gratitude. His guidance, friendship and commitment helped shape the charity and strengthen its future. The impact of his work will continue to benefit cancer patients and their families across Cornwall for decades to come.

On behalf of everyone at the Sunrise Appeal, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all of Colin’s family and friends.

Thank you, Colin, for your wisdom, your generosity, your friendship and your unwavering support of the Sunrise Appeal.

You will be greatly missed, fondly remembered and forever appreciated.