The family of a tragic dad who died four years after his disabled daughter will celebrate his life tomorrow.

Loved ones of Michael Shimmin are hosting a charity tribute to the popular father of two, who died after an evening out with friends.

Mr Shimmin, 45, known as Mick to his friends, passed away after returning from The Harvester pub in Bingley to his home in Eastwood Crescent, Cottingley.

The family had lost daughter Kirsti, who was mentally and physically disabled, in December 2000. The ten-year-old had an incurable condition known as developmental delay and had been suffering from a chest infection. She died of bronchial pneumonia after going to bed on Christmas Eve.

With the backing of Mr Shimmin's wife Joanne and children Sam and Francesca, his sister Ros Doherty is organising a charity event at The Harvester to raise funds for Martin House children's hospice, near Wetherby, and St Stephen's Respite Unit, West Bowling, which helped Kirsti.

"Michael was so close to Kirsti, she was the apple of his eye," said Mrs Doherty.

"We wanted to do something that would remember Michael and do something on behalf of the places which cared so much for Kirsti. Michael was devastated when Kirsti died. I think he would be really happy the event is going to help places that helped his daughter."

She said her brother, a wood machinist for kitchen supplier Magnet, was fun-loving and a fanatical Leeds United supporter. Well-wishers at tomorrow evening's event are being urged to wear Leeds shirts in his memory.

"My brother had a wicked sense of humour, really sharp-witted. He was a lovely family man and full of fun. He was always ready to get a rise out of people, in the nicest way possible," said Mrs Doherty.

"He was a really popular person. There were hundreds of people at his funeral, including some from abroad such as Ireland and Spain who knew him.

"Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Michael is welcome at the event."

The evening will include a sports quiz, raffle, buffet and a chance to buy a CD by the band Unfinished Drawings, which features Mr Shimmin's nephew Matt on drums. The band's song January is written for and dedicated to Mr Shimmin.

Mark Thompson, landlord of The Harvester, in Myrtle Walk, and a friend of Mr Shimmin, said: "He was a lovely bloke and a massive Leeds United fan. He went all over with them. It would be great if everyone wears something Leeds United in his memory and helps raise a lot of money for charity."

The event starts at 7pm.