NEARLY £20,000 has been raised for a Basingstoke hospital ward in memory of a man who died after appearing on a TV show.

Spencer Uren lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on May 31, 2009, aged 37, shortly after appearing on Channel 4’s reality food show Come Dine With Me.

He took part, hoping to win the prize and help his sister, who was being treated for cancer. But shortly after filming, Spencer was diagnosed with cancer himself and died months later.

Fellow contestant Gill Buley set up a charity in Spencer’s memory to raise money for the ward at Basingstoke hospital where Spencer was treated.

When the programme first aired last year, after Spencer had died, hundreds of viewers donated online, having been touched by the story.

And now, after a repeat was screened last weekend, donations have flooded in again – helping to raise more than £300 in just two days and bringing the total donated to more than £18,000.

Ray Uren, Spencer’s father, said the fundraising has helped him deal with the loss of his son.

The 64-year-old, of Bounty Road, Basingstoke, added: “It’s harder now than it was, because I think when it happened, we were in a haze for a while, but then everything goes back to reality and that makes it harder.

“We have to get on with our lives, but we still cry most days. People think you can move on. They think you will get over it, but you don’t.”

People left messages of support for Spencer’s family after finding out at the end of the programme that he had died.

A website, Come Dine for Spencer, encourages people to hold their own dinner parties to raise money, and their efforts have generated a great sum.

Mr Uren said customers at his hairdressing salon in Oakley have been very supportive since Spencer died, offering their spare change to boost the appeal.

And his friends at a Slimming World group he attends in Chineham have also held dinner parties to help raise funds.

But Mr Uren said his wife, Nona, 61, has been his biggest support, adding: “I admire her so much with her courage. She holds us all together.”