AWARD-winning singer David Kellie, of Peel Street, Adlington, who died last year at the age of 44, only three weeks after marrying his long-time love, left an amazing legacy.

Since his death from cancer, friends and members of amateur operatic societies with which David was associated, have boosted "David's Fund" which began with his marriage to Jean Unsworth.

Instead of wedding presents the couple asked for donations for cancer research and more than £3,000 was raised. After his funeral there were more cash gifts bringing a total of £4,671.

Jean explained that some of the money had gone to buy two Syringe Drivers which are used to administer drugs.

"David used one and said there should be one for the community," Jean said. "We had enough money to buy two.

"David wanted everyone to get as much comfort as he did," she added.

Jean gave £1,500 to the Adlington Branch of Cancer Research and the latest gift was an ultra-sound machine to their local doctor, Dr Danny McAllister of the Granville House Medical Centre who treated David.

David's instructions were to have a "joyful wake" were carried out to the letter. And, fittingly, the bar at Adlington Community Centre has been named Kellie's Bar.

"There must have been more than 500 people at the funeral. I knew he was a popular man, but I didn't realise how much people thought of him," Jean said.

The size of "David's Fund" has confirmed just how popular he was.

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