THE eldest son of a family man who died after a crash in Great Lever has paid tribute to his "superhero dad".
Tariq Khan, who ran Pound 4 Pound boxing gym on Sidney Street, passed away at the age of 36 after suffering fatal injuries following a collision on Green Lane on Wednesday, May 6.
Since then, tributes have flooded in from friends and families and now Tariq's eldest son Reece has expressed how much his dad meant to him.
Reece, 12, said: "Throughout his life my father cared and supported me and my brothers through everything.
"He was the best dad I could ever imagine or have - like a superhero.
"His passion for boxing passed on to me just as much as my brothers and my mother.
"He taught right from wrong and his passion for boxing rubbed off on to everyone in his life, like his newly-built gym and the hundreds of people who continue to attend.
"His aura was like no other, everyone who knew him would agree.
"'I've been told I changed his life when I was born – I couldn't say that for certain but and he certainly changed mine in nothing but a positive light.
"He changed things for the greater good and this inspires me to continue in his footsteps."
Tariq and Reece, after the youngster won a boxing match
Tariq's resting place, which include boxing glove wreaths
As well as Reece, Tariq leaves behind his wife Sanchia, 32, who he was together with for 15 years, and their other three children Isaac, 11, Zakariya, nine, and Samuel, eight.
He made many friends during his life, including Sara and Raf Patel.
Sara said: "Our lives will never be the same and our family holidays will never be the same.
"But we promise that we will carry on going on holiday with Sanchia and her children like we did every year.
"I promise I will look after Sanchia and the children.
"I also have two children, Riecce, 13, and Tia, who Tariq said was like the daughter he never had."
Friends and family. From left; Sanchia Khan, Ella Cooper, Sara Patel Raf Patel, Tia Louise Patel, Tariq Khan, Samuel Khan, Riecce Patel, Issac Khan and Reece Khan
Efforts are also being made to save Tariq's gym from closing to ensure his legacy lives on.
His friend Asim Iqbal plans to work with Tariq's family and those involved with the gym to explore funding and grants that could be available to keep the gym running.
And a crowdfunding page has been set up. To visit it click here.
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