mond2x: Trust fund set up in memory of DJ Sam Plank

Friday, February 25, 2011

Trust fund set up in memory of DJ Sam Plank

A FUND has been set up to collect donations in memory of legendary DJ Sam Plank.

The 62-year-old former BBC Radio Stoke presenter lost his fight against cancer on February 10.

His funeral, which took place on Monday, was attended by hundreds of mourners who wanted to pay their last respects to the community stalwart.

Sam's family have set up the Sam Plank Trust to allow his legacy to continue. It has already benefited from donations and pledges of more than �5,000.

Sam's widow Verity Hilton, who worked alongside him for much of his broadcasting career, said: "A trust has been set up after many people asked for ways in which they could make a donation.

"This will, in future months and hopefully years, help many people across our area who will be in need; whatever that may be.

"Not only have we been inundated with donations from people like a lady who caught the bus from Crewe to Leek to tell me how Sam had touched her life, but we have also had many businesses and individuals getting in touch about events they want to hold.

"We have had offers of support from solicitors and accountants who want to help with the trust's status, as well as caters who have offered their services for events and even someone who wants to build our website."

Sam's son Mark Hilton, said: "We've been humbled by the number of tributes that have been paid to my dad.

"We need to ensure his legacy continues and it has been heart-warming to know that the service on Monday has made people think they should do more for others with their life."

A cycle ride from John O'Groats to Land's End, a disco tribute night and a skydive are among events planned for this summer.

Meanwhile, tributes for the popular radio presenter are continuing to flood in.

Sean Canavan said Sam's work enabled hundreds of youths to acquire vocational training to help elderly people after the presenter promoted the Homeworks projects with company PM Training.

The project is still running under Aspire.

The former managing director at PM Training, said: "Sam put the 'local' into local radio.

"He was reporting on the radio about a man in his 80s having a stroke while working in his garden.

"I ran a training company at the time and rang Sam to offer to help the gentleman with his gardening.

"We started a project called Homeworks and thousands of elderly people have had their gardens maintained in the past 13 years and it was Sam that backed it on the radio.

The 64-year-old from Basford added: "It was the strength and the power of Sam's word on radio that made this project successful, and saw hundreds of people employed and thousands of elderly disabled people get their gardens maintained."

Cheques can be made payable to the Sam Plank Trust, 9 Central Avenue, Bucknall, ST2 9AR, or donations can be made to the trust via account number 00005102, sort code 30-93-83 quoting reference P677150.