A CHARITY set up in memory of Alexander Spence has donated more than £10,000 to help bereaved families in East Yorkshire.
Alex's Smile was formed by Alexander's wife Clare, after the father-of-two was found in the River Hull in 2010.
He had gone missing after a night out with friends.
Although the charity originally started to raise money for bereaved children, Clare thought Dove House Hospice would be the best placed to use the cash.
Clare, 35, said: "The committee originally wanted to help bereaved children.
"But then we decided it would be best to give the money to Dove House.
"They have made it a restricted fund, so it can only be spent on things which will benefit and help bereaved families.
"Some of it is going on the music room, as they use music therapy to help children.
"Some is going on new toys for children with parents at the hospice and other monies are being spent on arts and crafts."
The £10,300 donated to the east Hull hospice was raised at four events – a walk across the Humber Bridge, a Halloween party, a summer fair and a sale in a church hall.
Clare said: "The committee and I are really pleased with how much we've raised.
"We still want to continue fundraising and are hoping to hold more events this year."
After Alex's death, Clare was left to raise their two sons Alexander, now seven, and Sam, now four, alone.
Despite her turmoil, just a few months after Alexander's death, Clare set up Alex's Smile.
She said: "Next month it will be three years since Alex died.
"It is important to still keep his name alive, for the sake of his memory and for the children.
"They love doing something in their dad's name, especially my eldest, who remembers what happened more."
Dove House Hospice, which cares for adults in Hull and East Yorkshire with life-limiting illnesses, says it has been delighted with the donation.
The hospice's fundraising manager Karinda Jones said: "We are really grateful to Clare and everyone involved with Alex's Smile for making this generous donation.
"The donation will go towards funding a new service to support bereaved families, as well as providing activities and toys for children whose family members are using our services.
"It will help us to ensure the whole of a patient's family are looked after."
