A CHIPPING Norton postman who lost his wife to cancer earlier this year is organising a special auction to raise money for the hospice that cared for her.

Rick Henderson, of Fox Close, is hoping to raise as much money as possible for Katharine House Hospice in Adderbury, near Banbury, which cared for his beloved wife Sue for just over seven weeks.

The 46-year-old, who was a postie in Chippy for nearly 24 years, lost her two-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer in February.

Mr Henderson, 50, who recently married Sue in a quiet ceremony at home in November, said the auction is just one of many ways he will raise money for the hospice.

"It's something I will continue to do until I can't continue anymore," he said. "Katharine House needs to find in the region of £4,500 a day to keep operating. It's the least I can do.

"It's the most amazing facility with the most amazing staff and they do the most amazing job. They deserve all the support and help they can get."

The father-of-two is organising an auction which will take place at about 7.30pm on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Boar, in Chippy, which will be followed by a music quiz organised by good friend Tim Busby.

It will be an all-day event with music from a female soul singer in the afternoon and the chance to win some raffle prizes donated by businesses in the town.

Mr Henderson, who has been a postie for the last 13 years, has managed to secure some fantastic auction lots through his customers in the town and surrounding villages.

These include a signed bottle of House of Commons whiskey signed by Prime Minister David Cameron, a signed copy of Top Gear present Jeremy Clarkson's latest book and a script and photo of actor Sir Ben Kingsley who will sign it specially for whoever wins the bid.

To show his appreciation to all the people that cared for his wife, Mr Henderson, has already donated £1,000 to the team of Laurence Home nurses with support fromSue’s friends and family, and £2,000 to Katharine House.

"A colleague of ours lost his wife in the same bed in the same room at Katharine's House Hospice," he added.

"There's not one person who doesn't know somebody either directly related or somebody they know that has had something to do with Katharine House."