THE Roy Castle International Centre for Lung Cancer Research was due to be officially opened today.>

New Roy Castle centre opens

Picture shows Roy Castle

THE Roy Castle International Centre for Lung Cancer Research was due to be officially opened today.

Popular entertainer Roy Castle died from lung cancer in September 1994.

He campaigned to raise money for other sufferers during his illness.

His widow Fiona, who lives in Gerrards Cross, helped to set up the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation after his death.

She was set to be guest of honour at today's ceremony.

The centre, in Liverpool, was being opened by Sir Cliff Richard.

Roy Castle campaigned and fundraised tirelessly to help raise public awareness about the dangers of passive smoking and to help other sufferers during his own illness.

He set up the Roy Castle Cause for Hope Appeal to raise £12 million for a cancer research centre in Liverpool. His family wanted to continue his work and, just three hours after his death, his son Ben went to Blackpool to receive a cheque for the appeal.

Mrs Castle was guest of honour at a fundraising concert in Chesham a few weeks later.

The charity employed its first nurse, Iona Brisbane, last month.

Musician Roy was presenter of BBC TV's Record Breakers programme.

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