THE legacy of a much-loved dad lives on after his family rallied together to help others facing a similar struggle.

Albert Jones, from Runcorn, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in December 2012 after being falsely diagnosed with asthma for more than 12 months.

The granddad was given inhalers to treat this but they failed to work and his breathlessness and other symptoms were becoming more apparent to his loved ones.

His fingers clubbed, his nails were blue and so were his lips when not enough oxygen was passing through his body. He also had a dry cough that just would not go away.

All of these symptoms are caused by IPF but the family had never heard of it.

Albert was eventually referred to The Countess Of Chester Hospital after many GP appointments and diagnosed with IPF.

His daughter Sarah said: "We found out about IPF through Google.

"Our hearts ached when we read that it has an average life expectancy of just three to five years and that it was a terminal lung disease.

"Dad had never smoked how could he have lung disease?"

But at midnight on July 15, 2013, the 67-year-old suffered a respiratory arrest which was brought on by a pulmonary embolism.

Paramedics tried in vain for almost 45 minutes to save him but it was too late.

She added: "Our family was devastated, our loving, caring, funny and strong dad was gone and had been taken from us by a disease just seven months earlier we had never even heard of.

"Dad’s own GP had never heard of it too.

"How can a disease that takes so many lives be virtually unknown in both the medical profession and the general public?

"We could not save dad but this is why till our dying breaths we will tell anyone who will listen what IPF is and what it means."

Since his death, the family have been fundraising for the British Lung Foundation and Action For Pulmonary Fibrosis.

A fundraiser with live music and entertainment will be held on September 1 from 6.30pm at Bridgewater Bar and Function Room on Canal Street in Runcorn.