THE memory of a loving father who died battling cancer has sparked efforts to create a new charity aiming to help others going through the same struggle.

Michael John Wiseman’s Little Ray Of Sunshine is named after the Bradwell engineer, who died in February aged 47 from cancer of the oesophagus.

Set up by Michael’s wife Nicole and his daughter’s music teacher Anna Stone, it plans to raise thousands for the James Paget University Hospital – starting with a concert tomorrow.

“The charity is called that because he loved the sun and he loved to go on holiday. He was a very dedicated person who loved his family and worked hard for them,” Mrs Wiseman said.

Money from the concert, called Festive Smiles at Christmas, is expected to go towards a summer house at the hospital’s Sandra Chapman Centre, which the father-of-two attended for chemotherapy.

The event is being held at Yarmouth’s The Kings Centre, on Queen Anne’s Road.

“When he was at the centre one of the things he did like was the garden there,” Mrs Wiseman added. “And the idea is it will be a nice quiet area to sit in, hopefully with a glass front into the garden.”

Anna Stone had taught 13-year-old Misha the flute for two years before Michael was diagnosed with the illness last September.

Into the winter of 2009, she carried on visiting the family and shortly after his death began working with Nicole on fundraising before suggesting the concert idea.

“I grew up in Yarmouth and learnt music here, and I thought it would be nice to give something back and do something in Michael’s memory.”

At the concert, there will be 85 young musicians performing, including the Great Yarmouth Youth Brass Band and Misha herself.

Anna said: “We’ve been planning it since August, and we’ve been working on it 24/7 in order to get everything done. The children are all very excited and I think it will be an emotionally charged evening.”

The event hopes to raise �5,000 towards the expected �30,000 total of the summer house. Beyond that Nicole hopes to move on the focus of the charity which she is in the process of registering, towards funding breaks for those affected and their families.

“We as a family with Michael were able to get away to Disneyland Paris last October, because we pooled our resources” she said.

“The charity would eventually hope to fund those in the same situation who are not as fortunate as that.”

The evening, which has received sponsorship from John Taylor of Clarks Fencing, will also feature music students of Anna Stone and Sylvia Saxby and the Prelude Ladies Choir conducted by Pat Andrews.

It is planned as the first concert of many and is being compered by consultant oncologist Dr Henry Mannings, who works at the James Paget University Hospital.

l Tickets priced �8, �5 and �4 (family �20) are available for tomorrow’s concert. To book or to make a donation call Anna Stone on 01493 601169 or 07967 023568 or Nicole Wiseman on 07933 787478.