Donations flood in to Steve Evans' hospice fund
When inspirational father Steve Evans died from incurable cancer, the loss was felt not only by his friends and family, but by an army of online supporters whose lives he touched.
And those he helped to inspire with his humour and warmth as he faced his life's toughest journey are now repaying that by donating thousands of pounds to charity in his honour.
A website to raise money for Compton Hospice in Steve's name was launched on Saturday night, and within hours it had passed the £2,000 mark.
By this morning the total had reached more than £5,700 – and is continuing to rise.
Click here to make a donation
Messages paying tribute to Steve are also continuing to flood the web page, with many describing the 52-year-old as an 'inspiration'.
Married father-of-two Steve shared his story of living with incurable cancer with thousands of people over the internet.
He became a media star after appearing on Richard Bacon's programme on Radio 5 Live and as a guest on the BBC's Breakfast programme.
But it was his regular and uplifting messages on the social networking website Twitter that gained him an army of 26,000 supporters and well-wishers.
Before he died at New Cross Hospital on Thursday, Steve asked his friend Sue Oakley to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Compton Hospice.
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She has written on the page: "A few months ago, Steve asked me to set up this page, when his journey was over. That time has now come.
"Steve's thoughts were that if everyone had sent flowers to his funeral, it would be like Kew Gardens, so I have set up this page, for people to donate to Compton Hospice, if they so wish.
"We all have our own memories of Steve. Man from the Council, Magic bloke, fisherman, compere, comedian, family man and great friend.
"Throughout his battle, Steve never lost his sense of humour and lived life to the full.
"Steve touched the hearts of thousands was a great inspiration to fellow cancer sufferers.
"'Thanks For Coming' was very often Steve's parting phrase and Steve and I thought it would be an appropriate title for this page. "So lets all remember one happy thing each about Steve's wonderful life and we can all honestly say 'Thanks for coming pal'"
Steve spent 32 years as a building surveyor for Wolverhampton City Council, but was also a magician and comedian. He retired from his job after being diagnosed with incurable stomach cancer two years ago.
