A LEOMINSTER man fighting cancer is to invest in the town’s young people – by putting his last penny into the charity he set up to help them.

Councillor Peter McCaull, 75, set up the trust following the death of his wife in 2008.

The Janice and Peter Mc- Caull Charitable Trust acts as a resource for people up to the age of 21 who live in the Leominster area by providing advice and assistance, and organising programmes of physical and educational activities for them.

Eighteen months ago, Cllr McCaull, who has been mayor of Leominster four times, was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He is receiving ongoing treatment at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. And he is set to leave his legacy in the form of around £300,000 for his charity – and Leominster’s young people.

“I have currently put just over £43,000 in myself but when I die everything will go into it – the house and everything in it,” he explained.

“My wife had two ectopic pregnancies and couldn’t have children. While she was dying from cancer she came up with the idea of us doing something for local children. I totally agreed and we decided to tie the charity to the parish of Leominster.”

Cllr McCaull contributes about £500 a month from his councillors’ allowance to the charity and has always been involved in youth work in the town.

“I ran a youth club in Leominster for 14 years,” he said.

“I’m just so proud of the reaction of some of the kids’ faces when we bring them life changing experiences.”

To apply to the Janice and Peter McCaull Charitable Trust for funding, contact Leominster Town Council on West Street.