The family of a much-loved and popular New Lodge man who passed away from a kidney infection at the age of only 55 are hoping to pay a special Father’s Day tribute to their Dad by raising enough money to buy a new dialysis machine for the City Hospital.

Noel ‘Sausage’ Hastings from Spamount Street died in March after contracting a infection which spread to his kidneys.

The electrician was a hugely well known and well liked character in New Lodge and it was standing room only for his funeral at St Patrick’s Church in Donegal Street.

Now his family have organised a Father’s Day darts competition to buy a new dialysis machine for the hospital where he received his care for five weeks.

“My daddy was never sick, so it was a real shock when he went to hospital with a swollen arm and he was admitted,” said his daughter Noeleen McGuigan.

“An unknown infection was attacking his vital organs and he was placed on kidney dialysis that night.  He remained on kidney dialysis almost constantly.

“He was given the best possible care and treated with great dignity and respect, as were we as a family, by the staff of the intensive care unit. He remained in hospital for five weeks.”

She described her Dad as the “most amazing man with a sense of humour” adding everyone who knew him thought he could have been a stand up comedian.

Noeleen added that they have already received donations from many local businesses.

“I would like to sincerely thank all the local businesses who have donated already,” she said.

The Noel Hastings Memorial Cup Fathers Day darts competition in the Cliftonville Bowling Club, Knutsford Drive on Sunday, June 17.