Twins emotional road trip in dad's Ford Cortina

Businessman Roy Barker, from Castleford, died aged 67 in 2014 after a battle with cancer.

And now his sons Richard and Christopher Barker are driving his beloved 1982 Ford to Cortina d’Ampezzo in Northern Italy, which shares its name with the classic car.

They have spent hundreds of pounds restoring the car ahead of the trip.

Richard, who lives in Methley, said: “People keep saying to me that my dad would have been so proud and I know he would, that’s one of the driving forces for me.

“I promised him we would do it when he was very poorly.

“My dad would have loved to have been there and done this journey with us.

“But he will be there with us in spirit and we are going to do it for him.

“We have had a few technical hitches with the car but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”

The brothers are being joined on the trip by Richard’s son Jake, 13, nephew Evan, 16, friend Graham Ellis and a family cousin.

They are raising money for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre, which is based at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, where their dad was cared for by doctors and staff.

Mr Barker owned The Washer Shop on Bridge Street, Castleford, before he was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer in 2012.

The duo are hoping to raise £10,000 for the charity.

They have so far raised more than £3,000 by holding fundraisers and attending car rallies and shows.

Richard added: “I’m determined to raise as much money as possible on the trip.

“I have been blown over by people’s generosity who have donated so far.”

Christopher, assistant headteacher at Park Junior Academy in Castleford, organised a sports day at the school in July 11 which helped raised hundreds of pounds.

The late Mr Barker bought the classic Cortina from Martin’s Garage on Oxford Street in 1982.

For more information or to support their fundraising drive, visit www.justgiving.com and search ‘Remembering Roy Barker’.