SUFFOLK: Well-known Ipswich businessman and charity worker Alan Peck has died after a long battle against cancer.

SUFFOLK: Well-known Ipswich businessman and charity worker Alan Peck has died after a long battle against cancer.

The 68-year-old, who ran his Star Lines kitchen and bathroom business from 1974 to the mid 1980s, was diagnosed with cancer in late 2008 and was then advised to stop work. He died on December 29.

He had been working as a kitchen designer and business consultant.

Wife Rosabel (Yogi) Peck said: “It will be a celebration of his life. So many people knew him around the Ipswich area, and we haven't been able to contact them all. They will be very welcome to turn up on Saturday.”

Star Lines began from a corner shop in Foxhall Road, moving on to larger premises in Fore Street.

When the premises were destroyed by fire in 1979 staff worked round the clock to turn the Waterworks Street warehouse into a temporary showroom in just a few weeks, until Archway House, in Fore Street, was able to be rebuilt and reopened.

Also, with another Ipswich businessman Bernie Bushell, Mr Peck opened Bushell and Peck, in Bury St Edmunds.

Star Lines was active in the community, sponsoring Ipswich Witches speedway and cycle speedway at Great Blakenham.

Mr Peck, family and friends also made a big impact in aid for Romania, organising aid convoys and regular visits offering help to orphanages, schools and villages.

Mrs Peck said: “We took out aid and volunteers. On one occasion we refurbished an orphanage and Alan took out 40 volunteers for two weeks and they repainted every single room. We went back and put all the heating in, with 15 volunteers. We lived there for three years from 1992, opened a charity shop, and we looked after a commune of four villages. After 1995 we were still going back each year and doing projects, right up until 2000.”

Mr and Mrs Peck have four sons, although one son Ian died in a car accident, and they have nine grandchildren.

The family are still active in the home improvements business.

Brothers Roger and Patrick, two of their sons, now run KBB kitchen and bathroom design centre in Dales Road, Ipswich.

Mr Peck's funeral is at 2 pm, on Saturday, at St Catherine's Church, Ringshall. No flowers, but donations may be made to St Elizabeth Hospice.