A HAMPSHIRE man will today fulfil his late wife’s dying wish by helping a children’s hospice.

The New Forest Extravaganza at Strawberry Fields in Southampton Road, Lymington, aims to raise vital cash for Naomi House and Jack’s Place.

Colin Jelly and his wife Linda had been married for just two years when she died of cancer aged 69 in 2016.

But even as her life started to ebb away her first thought was for youngsters suffering from life-limiting diseases.

She told her husband: “Unlike me these children won’t get the the chance to have the sort of wonderful life that I’ve enjoyed.”

Colin, 67 of Barton on Sea, told the Daily Echo: “For the first year I found it very difficult to function without Linda.

“Gradually I started to wonder if I could put something together. I thought about having a charity barbecue in the garden but there seemed to be a lot of reasons why that wasn’t a good idea.”

Helped by the owners of Strawberry Fields, Colin began to devise what became the New Forest Extravaganza, a family fun day featuring a fairground and a raft of other attractions.

Groups taking part include Hawkwalk Falconry, The Plonkers and the Paws For Thought dog display team.

The master of ceremonies is Bournemouth Pride host Lea Martin.

Colin said; “I was at a charity dinner last year and met Lea, who was compering the dinner and was brilliant. On asking, Lea immediately agreed to compere today's event free of charge."

The New Forest Extravaganza takes place between 11am and 6pm.