The family of a man who died tragically young, leaving behind a six-year-old daughter, have raised nearly �10,000 for the hospice that looked after him.

Danny Gray was just 41 when he lost his battle with cancer earlier this year at St Francis Hospice, leaving behind wife Tanya and daughter Jenna.

An auction and dinner night, held at Woolston Manor Golf and Country club on Saturday November 10, was originally organised by Danny’s brother Rob and his partner Vaida from Barkingside, his parents Pat and George from Romford, and a friend John Kershaw to raise funds for a new drug from the USA.

Sadly Danny died before the event was held but organisers decided that the fundraising night should still go ahead.

Mum Pat said: “Holding this event to raise money for the staff that looked after him is what he would have wanted”.

Staff from Bart’s Hospital, Macmillan nurses and St Francis Hospice, based in Havering-atte-Bower, cared for Danny and his family, from Hainault, and proceeds from the night were split between Macmillan and the hospice. Rochelle Hodds, community fundraising co-ordinator for the hospice, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Hospice I want to say a big thank you to the Gray family for raising so much for patient care at the dinner and ball in memory of Danny.

“They have raised �9,847.64 which is a fantastic sum which will be put to good use and will help us to continue to provide all our services completely free of charge to anyone diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. We are truly grateful for their support.”