The family of a dad who died hours after joking around with his friends has made one last request in his memory.
Dad of three Sam Mercer, 35, died suddenly in February this year after a routine operation on his femur. The dad-of-three was the landlord of the Volunteer Canteen pub in Waterloo and has been described as passionate about "providing for those in need".
Instead of giving flowers for his funeral, his family asked if people could donate to Sefton Pantry in his honour. Since Sam's funeral on April 4, the pantry has been flooded with donations.
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A post on the Caz's Kitchen Facebook page said: "Thanks so much to everyone that delivered donations to us and the family at the funeral instead of flowers on Sam's behalf to donate to local families in need.
"We'll be continuing to support Sefton Community Pantry ongoing in Sam's name at the shop too so please feel free to pop any spare pennies in our charity tin.. over the next few weeks."
A post by his brother Tom Hanlon said that the turnout for Sam's funeral was "incredible" and so many people attended they could not fit inside Saint Edmunds and Saint Thomas’ church in Waterloo. Tom said the funeral was a testament to the impact Sam had on people's lives.
Tom told the ECHO in February: "It does not feel real, it's like we are in a nightmare and it has shaken us all to the core, especially my mum. Christmas won't be the same without him, he was always the one to get us laughing and joking around.
"I just want to get across what an amazing man he was and how much he meant to everyone. Life will never be the same without him."
Sam had been said to be "recovering well" after femur surgery, before getting a call on February 19 to find out was being taken to hospital. By the time Tom arrived at Sam's house, he had already died.
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Speaking to the ECHO, Tom Hanlon said: "I spoke to him at 11am that day and he was fine, he was joking around. Then I got the call went round and the paramedics and police were there. They came out to say he was already dead.
"I just don't know what we are going to do without him. He just loved life and was always the soul of the party. Sam had the most incredible sense of humour, he got on with everybody and would light up a room. He truly just loved everyone and was the best dad."
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