A SILSDEN man's beloved racing pigeons have raised a lofty sum for charity.
Geoffrey Spaven's dying wish was that the birds should be sold and the proceeds go to Manorlands and the Salvation Army.
As a result, £3,000 has been donated to the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice and £1,000 to the Salvation Army.
Mr Spaven spent the final few weeks of his life being cared for at Manorlands.
He died there in December, aged 73, after a long battle with cancer.
His widow Sharon and daughter Jessica have visited the hospice to present a cheque.
"It was Geoffrey's wishes that his racing pigeons – which were his life's passion – be sold after his death to support the two causes," said Mrs Spaven.
"The gift to Manorlands is a nice way of thanking the Sue Ryder staff for all the care they gave to Geoffrey."
Andrew Wood, a fundraiser at the hospice, thanked the family for its support.
"We are extremely grateful for this very substantial amount – it will enable us to provide many hours of care for local people who really need it," he added.
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