A CHARITY set up in memory of a contestant who died after taking part in a TV show has raised more than £10,000 since it was aired last week.

Spencer Uren (pictured) was a contestant in the Channel 4 dinner party contest Come Dine With Me last January, but four months later he died of pancreatic cancer.

He went on the show to try to win the £1,000 prize money to give to his 27-year-old sister Sorelle, who was going through chemotherapy treatment for Hodg-kin’s lymphoma.

But just weeks later, the former marketing manager, from Hackwood Road, Basingstoke found out he too had cancer.

The programme, broadcast last week, has gained national attention and touched hundreds of people, who watched the emotional final episode on Friday when contestant Gill Buley handed over half of her £1,000 winnings to 37-year-old Spencer.

Gill has now set up a charity, ‘Come Dine for Spencer’ to raise money for the cancer ward at Basingstoke hospital in memory of her friend.

And in less than a week, more than 300 people have donated, helping to raise £10,500 of the £250,000 target.

Mum-of-one Gill, from Crofters Meadow, Lychpit, said: “The amount of people who have donated is amazing. It’s brilliant. I expected some donations, but over a period of time. We have had lovely messages from people who have been affected by cancer in some way.”

Since the programme was broadcast, Gill has been inundated with requests to tell the story, and has spoken on radio and to national newspapers and magazines about her aim to keep Spencer’s mem-ory alive and raise funds for other cancer sufferers.

The new charity is also being supported by a host of big names including businessman and former tennis player David Lloyd, whom she hopes will take part in a charity golf match for the cause.

The Hampshire Clinic GP Dr Hilary Jones has also shown his support and provided Gill with information about pancreatic cancer for her charity website.

Spencer’s mother Nona, from Bounty Road, Basingstoke, said her son would be proud if he was still alive.

She added: “The response has been amazing and people have been so generous. I think people really enjoyed the show and were shocked at the end. I’m overwhelmed by the support. Spencer will be looking down and be really pleased.”

Nona, who runs a hairdressing salon in Oakley with her husband Ray, said it had been tough watching Spencer on television last week.

She added: “Ray and Sorelle were glad they watched it because it was nice to see him laughing. The last memory we have is of him at the hospice, but I got upset watching it. It’s like losing him again.

“In Thursday’s episode, they were all laughing and having a good time. I hope people enjoyed it.”

Shelagh Goddard, lead nurse for cancer at Basingstoke hospital said she hoped the people of Basingstoke would back the new charity, adding: “We are absolutely delighted.

“This fundraising campaign is a real opportunity to support local cancer patients.”

All five episodes of Come Dine With Me, featuring Spencer and Gill, will be repeated on More 4 on January 24.

To find out more about the charity, go to comedineforspencer.co.uk.