Russ Conway Fund set to benefit two hospices

Two hospices have been named as beneficiaries on the winding up of the charity set up by Bristol pianist Russ Conway.

Following queries from members of the public about the Russ Conway Fund’s accounts, the charity’s watchdog, the Charity Commission, opened an inquiry in January 2003.

However, the inquiry report published by the Commission today revealed that the money raised by the Russ Conway Fund has been saved for cancer sufferers - although it emerged the funds for the charity, originally set up to help cancer and leukaemia sufferers in 1991, had lain unused in the charity's account after the entertainer's tragic death in November 2000.

Following discussions with the watchdog, the trustees decided to wind up the charity and split the remaining funds, amounting to almost £25,000, between St Peter's Hospice in Bristol and St Wilfrid's Hospice in Eastbourne - both causes previously supported by Russ Conway.

David Rich, head of investigations at the Charity Commission, said: "We are delighted that the funds are being split between St Wilfrid's Hospice and St Peter's Hospice as Russ Conway worked with both these charities during his lifetime. This means that cancer sufferers in the local area can continue to benefit."

Pat Davies, fundraising director of St Peter's Hospice, said: "St Peter's Hospice is delighted to have been chosen. Russ Conway visited the hospice and met patients and is much loved by the Bristol community. As Bristol's hospice we are proud to be linked in this way. His gift will benefit local Bristol people with incurable cancer and other illnesses."

A favourite of the late Queen Mother, Russ Conway was one of Britain's biggest selling artists of the 1950s and 1960s, with No1 hits Side Saddle and Roulette to his credit. He set up the cancer charity during his own struggle with the disease.

He died aged 75 on November 16 2000, after an inoperable relapse of stomach cancer.

(SP)