‘Ray of light’ hospital fundraiser Harry Clements dies at 70

Brave Harry Clements, inspired after his life was saved by medics three times, raised more than £100,000 and became an MBE in 2007 for his tireless efforts.

In the Channel 4 show the 70- year-old was seen running a volunteer shop and busking with theatre impresario David King to raise funds for St James’s Hospital, Leeds.

He so impressed Mr King, 62, that the self-made millionaire handed him a £25,000 cheque to add to the kitty.

Mr Clements was taken ill and died this weekend after being taken to Leeds General Infirmary, which is part of the same NHS Trust.

Friends and family are comforting his wife Rosemary and two children.

Mr King yesterday paid tribute to Mr Clements, saying: “He was an amazing man who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.

“During the filming of the show it became very clear that he was a ray of light in the hospital and much loved by patients and staff alike.

“I felt a real connection with Harry as soon as I met him and his beaming smile reminded me very much of my late father, who also had heart problems.

“Harry was a fine man who will be sorely missed. There are so many people who will want to thank him for what he has done over the years.”

Mr Clements, of Garforth, Leeds, won numerous admirers during 23 years of fundraising for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

St James’s Hospital installed two plaques in his honour and named a room after him.

Cash he raised has benefited the coronary care unit, rehabilitation team, and the ECG (echocardiogram) department.

He also helped fund wards for the elderly in Beckett Wing and the Manny Cussins diabetes centre, all of which have helped care for him over the years.

During Secret Millionaire, he and Mr King were filmed busking in Leeds city centre dressed as a sheep and a cow.

When Mr King wrote a song about Mr Clements’s heroic fundraising the grandfather broke down in tears.