Shouldham Ward, where Mr Foot received treatment before he died in November 2002, has spent the latest gift of £20,000 on patient comforts including televisions, Sky TV connections, a computer, Play stations and CDs.

Previous donations from the fund have updated facilities in the chemotherapy suite and bought a computer server for the hospital.

Since it was established 22 months ago, the Robert Foot Leukaemia Fund has raised a total of £75,000 for the QEH and for Guy's/St Thomas Hospital in London, where Mr Foot also spent some time. A lump sum of £29,000 has gone to the London Hospital where it will be used to equip the Robert Foot Club Room in a new unit being built for teenagers and young people suffering from cancer and leukaemia.

It leaves £16,000 for the fund to spend at the same two hospitals at a later date.

Former KES pupil, Mr Foot was working as a political adviser for the Ministry of Defence in war-torn Sierra Leone when he first became ill, suffering from a form of leukaemia which is rarely found in adults. The year before he died, he was awarded the OBE for his overseas work, which also included time spent in Bosnia.

The memorial fund was set up by his family, including his parents, Michael and Wendy Foot, who live at Walpole St Peter.

Contributions for the fund have come from a variety of events including sponsored runs, the London Marathon, wedding anniversary, christening and funeral donations, coffee mornings and bingo and from book sales.

The next major fundraising event will be on Saturday evening, March 29, at Walpole St Peter Parish Hall with music by Bog Oake and friends. Tickets, at £5 each, are available in advance from Mr and Mrs Foot on 01945 780468.