A Greytown man whose ill health prompted his grandson to set up a "mop chop for poppa" fundraiser has lost his brave battle against cancer.
Neil Smith died on Monday, having been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2012.
The former builder and Greytown volunteer fireman had until recently been running the camping ground in Soldiers Memorial Park with his wife Ann but the couple had to relinquish the lease in April due to Mr Smith's deteriorating condition.
News of Mr Smith's illness was made public when his devoted grandson Ceejay Dennes set about raising money for the Cancer Society Wairarapa.
Ceejay told his mum Deb Dennes he wanted to raise $250 but just over a week after launching his "mop chop for Poppa" fundraiser, which involved the boy getting his head shaved to support his grandfather who had undergone chemotherapy, this amount had leapt to $2400.
