A widower is putting on a charity concert to say thanks to staff at the Wisdom Hospice who cared for his wife during her final days.

Dave Saunders, 76, has spent the past seven years rallying support from fellow musicians for the performance in Rainham.

Determined grandad Dave has been plagued with problems getting the show on the road.

But finally he has got eight acts together performing a varied musical programme at the Oast Community Centre, Granary Close, on Saturday, March 7.

Special guest will be Hayley Oliver, a British country music singer who has received airplay on country radio stations around the world.

Retired safety officer Dave, who plays a number of instruments including guitar and banjo, was a familiar face on the music scene in Medway in the 1960s.

Having kept in touch with musicians in the business at the time, he has enlisted their help.

Dave’s wife Kathleeen, 64, passed away at the hospice in High Bank, Rochester, in January 2013.

He said: “She was only there for 16 days, but the care she received from staff was absolutely brilliant.

"After Kathleen died I wanted to show my appreciation and this seemed the obvious way to do it.

"Kathleen liked her music, especially Elvis, and she would have loved this.”

There will be a raffle and also an auction with prizes including a painting and an expensive bottle of whisky.

Tickets cost £6 on the door for adults and a nominal donation for children.

The show starts at 8pm and finishes about 11pm.

Dave, of Drakes Avenue, Strood, a father of two daughters and grandfather of five, hopes it will be a fun family night out raising money for a worthy cause.

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