A CAR lover has left an extraordinary donation from the sale of his Mercedez-Benz SLC to two charities.

When Phil Hewson, from Penny Bridge, received a terminal cancer diagnosis he decided that, when the time came, the proceeds from the sale of his most treasured vehicle should be shared between CancerCare and St Mary’s Hospice.

He included this in his will before he died last August.

Mr Hewson's wife Lyn said: “He always loved cars – he’d owned over 60 in his lifetime - but this is the car he always wanted.

"Unfortunately, as his health started to deteriorate, he didn’t have many opportunities to enjoy driving it, but he was very clear about what he wanted to happen to it.

"I think this was his way of saying thank you to two local organisations that helped him.

"He knew he wasn’t going to be around to verbally say thank you so he included this gift in his will.”

Mr Hewson and Lyn had received counselling at CancerCare’s Duke Street centre in Barrow but were initially sceptical.

Lyn said: "He’d always been a proud independent man but it helped us both to be able to talk to someone about how we were feeling.

"It’s sometimes hard to let everything out because you don’t want to upset each other."

Mr Hewson found out he had cancer on his 60th birthday and just over a year later he was told that it had spread to his lungs, ribs and spine.

"He always said he felt relaxed at CancerCare and that it was a nice place to come," said Lyn.

"He liked that it wasn’t like sitting in a doctor’s waiting room like all his other appointments because it felt friendly and welcoming.”

Mr Hewson, his wife said, will be remembered for his humour and kindness.

She added: "He supported charities throughout his life, quietly giving to causes he cared about, without making a fuss.

“Phil knew that every penny matters to CancerCare, and knew the difference his donation will make to the next person who needs their help, even if he won’t be around to see it.”