HE was the popular Hampshire dad renowned for his love of rock concerts and golf.

But Mike Whitfield was tragically diagnosed with cancer and lost his fight to the disease - aged 44.

Now his favourite band has made a surprise donation to a legacy set up in his name by his loved ones.

Stadium rock kings Simple Minds have sent the Southampton music fan’s family limited edition merchandise for a flagship fundraising event set up in his memory.

The items will be auctioned at a charity golf day, in his name, at Southampton Golf Club in Basset tomorrow.

The family held their first tournament last year - naming it Don’t You Forget About Me after Mike’s favourite Simple Minds song.

It raised £10,000 used to buy new televisions and specialised chairs for the Southampton General Hospital ward where he was cared for.

Now the band have stepped in with their own kind-hearted donations after Mike’s uncle Ivan wrote to them to ask for help.

Their gifts are a limited edition DVD box set of their iconic Glasgow SSE HYDRO concert, a plectrum belonging to guitarist Charlie Burchill and a ladies T-Shirt emblazoned with ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’.

The box set also features a bound book with specially written notes and exclusive live photos signed by the band.

Mike, an electrician from Nursling, died in December 2013. His older sister Jacqueline Toogood, 48, from Bordon, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by their generosity.

“We explained that we named it after the song because he was an avid fan and that family and friends, all those who knew our Mike would completely get the connection.

“Mike would be absolutely delighted. He was a very caring person who liked to help people and if he knew people were doing something like this for him it would be a highlight for him.”

Nearly 100 people representing 25 teams are taking part in the event where his son Sam, 19, will tee off.

Players include family friends and former colleagues a his employees DP World in Southampton Docks who have also donated items for a raffle.

The game is followed by a prize draw and live music from 14-year-old singer-songwriter Rachel Ward and band RU40.

All funds will go to the Ward D3 where Mike was cared for and Jacqueline said: “We feel like we want to do this to generate something positive out of something that was so dreadful. It’s helped the family focus and we are doing it on behalf of Mike.”

The golf tees off at 10.05am and with live music and entertainment held from 4pm.

Contact 07889 977 597 or email jacquelinetoogood@gmail.com to book a place, make donations or buy raffle tickets.