A FATHER-OF-SIX revealed today how a York social club was holding a fundraising night to help him pay for his wife's funeral.

Graham Rae, 41, of Barkston Avenue, Chapelfields, York, was left devastated when the "love of his life", Tracy, died of cancer.

Only a month after their wedding, he was left with four children at home.

To add to the heartbreak, 37-year-old Tracy had had no life insurance, and Graham said he was struggling to pay the £1,900 funeral bill and find enough money to buy a headstone.

But kind-hearted members of Holgate Working Men's Club have stepped in to offer him the use of its function room to hold a fundraising night, as the couple held their wedding reception there.

"Tracy never asked for anything in her life - she meant everything to me," said Graham,

"When she was first diagnosed with cancer I asked her what she wanted most in life. She said that all she's wanted for the 17 years we've been together was to marry me.

"It was the happiest the day of our lives, and Tracy always cried her eyes out when she watched the wedding video. She took a real turn for the worse not long after.

"I really appreciate the club's support, because I've got no money and can't pay the funeral bill, or even buy a headstone."

Graham, who has four children with Tracy and two from a previous marriage, was at his wife's bedside at St Leonard's Hospice when she died.

"I closed her eyes and told her that I loved her, before crying my heart out," he said.

"She was in so much pain."

Tracy had cervical cancer, which later spread to her lungs and brain.

Graham, who is on incapacity benefit because of back problems and headaches. said when Tracy died he was not thinking clearly enough to arrange benefit support to pay for some of the funeral.

A friend has now offered to help him fill out the necessary grant forms, which he hoped could pay for half of it.

Club steward John Winspear said: "We offered Graham the use of our function room because they were married in there.

"Tracy was a really nice person. She kept smiling even when she was diagnosed with cancer."

The fundraising night will take place at 8pm on Friday, March 5, and will include live music, a raffle and bingo.

Tracy leaves behind children Dean, 16, Kayleigh, 15, and 11-year-old twins Cara and Kelly.

Anyone wishing to contact Graham can email him at graham.rae1@ntlworld.com

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, February 17, 2004