A WIDOW spoke of her pride today after a Suffolk community rallied to help her carry out her husband's dying wish.Janice Green and her family organised a dance at Needham Market Community Centre and raised £1,500 in memory of Christoper Green, who died from leukaemia in October last year.

A WIDOW spoke of her pride today after a Suffolk community rallied to help her carry out her husband's dying wish.

Janice Green and her family organised a dance at Needham Market Community Centre and raised £1,500 in memory of Christoper Green, who died from leukaemia in October last year.

The money will go to the haematology unit of Ipswich Hospital, where 44-year-old Mr Green was treated.

Mrs Green, 48, of Hargrave Avenue, Needham Market, said: "I've never done anything on a scale like this before and the reason I did it is because it was his last wish.

"When he went to hospital he said he was going to have this dance and put back in what he'd taken out - and more.

"I've carried out that last wish for him. I've done everything that he and I wanted to do. This was the last thing he said he wanted to do."

The dance, attended by about 150 people, included a raffle, auction and a performance by rock band Raindance.

One of the auction prizes was an Ipswich Town football, which raised £110 after ex-Blues star Kevin Beattie promised to get it signed by the first team.

Other auction prizes, donated by local businesses, included a lawnmower and table lamp.

Mr Green, who worked as a driver for Transco, was also a steward at Ipswich Town Football Club in the away section.

Mrs Green said the turn-out to last Saturday's event was a tribute to the esteem in which he was held.

She said: "I was really shocked at the response. I can't believe how generous people were.

"Chris was well-known for the way he dealt with everybody. He was always there for others - that's what it says on his headstone.

"He always had time for everybody. He wouldn't have any messing about but that's why people respected him. Nothing was too much trouble."