A MUCH-loved Ipswich doctor's memory is living on today after a drawer full of pennies and pounds for charity was discovered in his desk.

Rebecca Lefort

A MUCH-loved Ipswich doctor's memory is living on today after a drawer full of pennies and pounds for charity was discovered in his desk.

Dr John LeVay, an oncology consultant at Ipswich Hospital, died last year and the John LeVay Cancer Information Centre was renamed in his honour.

Colleagues found a collection of coppers, labelled for charity in one of his old desk drawers and that money has been the inspiration behind the cancer information centre's fifth birthday campaign.

Everyone is now being asked to follow Dr LeVay's example by donating loose change to make a big difference.

Dr LeVay wanted to make high-quality information and support accessible for all and, along with charity Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, supported the building and development of the information centre.

The Evening Star backed the effort and readers helped raise �100,000 for the centre.

The new campaign, which will see a series of artistic footprints extend from one end of the hospital to the other as money is donated, will support the centre as it approaches its fifth birthday, helping it continue its vital work and expand its services into the community.

Cancer information nurse specialist Louise Smith said: “John's example and enthusiasm are continued through the colleagues and patients who knew and respected him.

“The money from his desk drawer, marked Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, is not only the start of our campaign but a tribute to our well-loved and missed colleague.”

Collection buckets will be placed throughout the hospital for people to donate their loose change.

Mrs Smith said: “At a time where people are hit by the credit crunch and financial difficulties we are simply asking for people's loose change.

“We hope this won't be too difficult for them to give up and together we can show how small change can make a big difference.”

- Would you like to thank Ipswich Hospital's cancer team? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

In profile: Dr John LeVay

- He worked at Ipswich Hospital as a consultant oncologist.

- He formed the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk charity with former Ipswich Town star Jason Cundy, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997 and was treated by Dr LeVay.

- He was married to Jo and had three children, who live in Charsfield.

- He died in March 2008, aged 51, after a long battle with cancer.