Funeral to take place today of cyclist who died before Christmas

At around 4.30pm on Monday, December 4, a cyclist is reported to have collided with a silver Nissan Micra and a white Ford Transit van on Sherdley Road, near to Peterlee Close.

The cyclist, who was taken to hospital in a critical condition, was identified by police as 40-year-old dad-of-two Paul Cunliffe from Thatto Heath.

Paul died two days later at the Walton Centre.

Paul has left behind Sarah, his devastated wife of 18 years and two sons Joshua and Dominic. He was the only child of parents Barbara and Stephen.

Paul’s funeral will take place today at St Helens Crematorium at 2pm.

Donations in memory of Paul are gratefully being received by the family towards the charities: Friends Play for disabled children and Connect Parents.

In a statement given to Merseyside Police, the family said: "Paul was a quiet man full of good humour and a caring nature. Paul would do anything to help anyone and all of his friends and family have nothing but fond memories of him.

"Paul lived in Sutton Heath all his life where he was well known growing up with his best friend Peter.

"Paul made an impression on lots of people throughout his life including at his workplace, High Tech Steel in Bold where he had worked since he was 17.

“He loved working there and always had lots of funny stories to tell me when he got home.

"Paul will be deeply missed by all of his family and everyone he met. Please keep him in your thoughts."

After Paul was taken to hospital, the drivers of the Nissan Micra and Ford Transit van stayed with officers to assist with enquiries.

Any information and CCTV and dashcam footage around the time of the incident could help with the investigation. Anyone with information can contact the police's Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit at (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 23001226394.

For more information on the funeral, call Frank Dooley & Son on 01744 811811.