SWINDON’S homeless community has lost one of its guiding lights after a much-loved charity hero lost his battle with cancer.

Operations director for Threshold Housing Link Phil Smith died on Sunday, September 27, at the age of 61.He leaves behind wife Cher and children Deborah and Peter.

Born in Calcutta, the family moved to the UK while Paul was a child and he eventually joined Threshold in July 1993 after serving 23 years in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer having served as a sergeant.

Over the years he also worked for Prospect Hospice and as a scout leader for the Swindon Sea Scouts. He was also behind the popular annual Sleepout held in December, and project managed the building of Threshold’s hostel for single men Culvery Court.

Right up to his death he was fundraising hard in aid of the Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal, having had to travel to Oxford himself for treatment.

Just ten days before his death he cycled 18 miles in preparation for Ride for Radiotherapy, but had to give up his space on the sponsored cycle event at the last minute due to being too unwell. Son-in-law Nick Mitchell completed the run for him, ensuring the £900 he had raised was hard-earned.

His wife Cher Smith MBE has spent almost every waking hour of the last 22 years by his side, as CEO of Threshold. When it became clear that Phil’s cancer would not be beaten she cared for him herself at home. They had been married since 2008.

She said: “We made a good team in that we balanced each other out. It is going to be incredibly hard without him considering how much time we spent together both at work and at home. We were salt and pepper, ying and yang – it worked beautifully.

“The service users have lost a real father figure. For him there was nothing more satisfying than seeing someone go through Culvery Court, and through the substance misuse programme perhaps and come out the other side – and we have had half a dozen do that and come back and work for us.

“He always supported the underdog and always believed that people deserved chances no matter what and that lives could turn out very differently if you take a different path. He was a great provider of putting people on different paths.

 “We have had such fantastic support from Dr Alex Sternberg and the clinical nurses Jasmine Hebden, Michelle Taylor and Vicky Jon. We cannot thank them - and the staff on Dove ward - enough.”

Frank Mullane, a former trustee of Threshold, said: “Phil was a most trustworthy and decent man who believed that people experiencing personal difficulties can improve their life circumstances, but they often need help to do this. In the 20 years I knew him, Phil dedicated his working hours to helping people to turn their lives around.”

His funeral will be held on Friday, October 16 at St Marks Church on Church Place. This will be followed by a cremation at Kingsdown Crematorium, Upper Stratton at 12.45pm.

Following this there will be a wake held at The Stanton House Hotel. Those wishing to attend the wake should contact the family by emailing debz609@hotmail.com or calling 0793 960 5750.