A man whose dying wish was to create a legacy has had more than £20,000 raised for charity in his memory.

Ely Standard: Alan Rasberry who died aged 52Alan Rasberry who died aged 52 (Image: Archant)

Alan Rasberry died aged 52 on June 19, 2013, from pancreatic cancer having only been diagnosed with the disease four weeks earlier. Family and friends immediately set about increasing their fundraising efforts following his death after Mr Rasberry expressed a wish to leave a mark and his life be celebrated.

Mr Rasberry worked in Ely for a time – among those to support, and raise money for the charity, were Barclays staff from the city.

His widow Lindsey Rasberry, step daughter Lucy Massen and nephew Gavin Caney helped realise that ambition when they presented a cheque for £10,000 to the Shouldham Ward at King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital – where the former banker spent his last few days.

Mrs Rasberry said: “I’d like to thank all family and friends for their continued support and to everyone who has been involved with the fundraising, or donated, in Alan’s memory. He would be absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the people across West Norfolk, Ely and Cambridgeshire.”

About £12,000 was donated to Pancreatic Cancer Research in 2013 after a party – which Mr Rasberry attended despite being seriously ill – triathlon, sports day and cake sale at Barclays bank in Ely and charity football match were completed.

Mr Caney undertook the 52-mile triathlon and was joined by his twin sister Kelly King for the 14.7-mile run element which finished at the home Mr Rasberry shared with his wife Lindsey in Lynn.

“Alan will have been so, so happy that more than £20,000 was raised for charity in his memory. He really was an inspirational man,” said Mr Caney, 27.

Last year the £10,000 for the Shouldham Ward’s patient and equipment fund was collected thanks to efforts from the WOW (Wine on Wednesday ladies’ group who make donations to charity) Group’s race night, ‘Another night on the Raz’ charity ball and auction, donations from football clubs and Barclays staff in Ely completing the Bridges over London Walk.

Nicki Ball, Shouldham Ward clerk, said: “We would love to spend the money on improving the patients’ view outside of the windows on Shouldham Ward as sometimes our patients spend quite a lot of time with us due to having chemotherapy and other treatments.

“We would love to spend the donation on things like trellis, climbing plants, pots with plants and bird feeders to improve the view from the windows. We feel this would benefit our patients and relatives greatly. It really is a fantastic amount of money.”