Singing Shrewsbury charity hero Eric Bishop dies at age of 87

Eric Bishop, from Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, died on August 16 shortly after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

His daughter Judy Bishton said her father was known for singing and collecting charity cash.

He raised thousands of pounds for 17 local and national charities and was also involved in supporting the Shrewsbury Carnival.

Mrs Bishton added his charitable efforts had been partly sparked by the death of his wife Lily in 2006 after she had been cared for by Macmillan when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She said: "Seven years ago my mother passed away and the Macmillan nurses had helped her a lot and gave their support to him. To thank them and give some meaning to his life he started collecting for Macmillan."

Mrs Bishton said due to her father's dedication, which would see him spend entire days taking collections, other organisations got in contact.

"He would go out in all weathers and would sing to keep himself occupied. He collected thousands of pounds and had loads of awards."

Among the charities he supported in addition to Macmillan were Marie Curie, the Royal British Legion, the Army Benevolent Fund and RSPB.

Mr Bishop was born on December 31, 1925, in Enfield, London, and was stationed in Egypt during World War II as a member of the RAF's Signal Corp.

After the war Eric met his brother Henry's new wife's sister, Lily, who he fell in love with and married on March 26 1950.

The pair had two daughters and four grandchildren, with Mr Bishop working as a sales rep.

The family settled in Bomere Heath in the early 1960s where Mr Bishop joined organisations including the local cricket and tennis clubs, as well as the village hall committee and the PTA.

He was also became a churchwarden at Leaton Church.

Mr Bishop was collecting for charity up until last month with his last collection taking place at Superdrug on Pride Hill on July 13.

He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on August 12, passing away less than a week later.

Mrs Bishton said that just eight hours before he died, her father was singing, smiling and tapping his feet to an Abba song with his family.

"What a lovely way for his family to remember him," she said.

His funeral will take place at Leaton Church on Monday at 12.30pm.

A collection will be taken at the service to be split between all of the charities that he supported.

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