Millionaire businessman leaves his £10million collection of classic cars and motorbikes to the hospital that treated him

A MILLIONAIRE businessman's £10m legacy to the NHS hospital that treated his cancer has been realised with the sale of his collection of classic cars and motorbikes.

The late Robert White was so impressed by the dedication of staff at the cancer unit at Poole Hospital in Dorset that he vowed to help them in his dying hour.

Before he passed away he arranged to sell his vast treasure trove of vintage motorbikes and cars and donate the proceeds towards building a new cancer unit with state-of-the-art facilities.

The £10m total raised amounts to the equivalent of 5 per cent of the hospital trust's annual budget.

This figure was reached yesterday after his classic bikes and cars as well as his collection of watches were sold by London auctioneers Bonhams for a total £3.6m.

Among the cars sold were a 1930 Le Mans-style Bentley Tourer for £315,000, a 1959 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster for £255,000 and Pur Sang 'Type 51' Sports Two Seater for £125,000.

The star performer among 46 motorcycles that went under the hammer was a 1951 Vincent 998cc which went for £89,000, while a 1977 MV Agusta 861cc fetched £64,000.

And his George Daniels gold watch went for £224,000 in an auction that featured more than 500 lots including photographic equipment, train models and various ornaments.

He had previously sold his wonderful collection of Brough Superior bikes to fellow enthusiast and friend Jay Leno, the American chat show host, for £3.5m.

And proceeds of the sale of properties and assets owned by Mr White made up the £10m windfall the hospital has received.

Mr White, from Poole, made his money by running an internationally-renowned photographic retailers.

He died last November aged 62 from a rare form of cancer known as neuroendocrine tumours.

The money will be used to build new cancer facilities at Poole and a dedicated satellite centre at the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester which will give thousands of patients in the west of the county easier access to vital treatment.

It is hoped that the The Robert White Cancer Centre will be open by December 2017.

Poole Hospital chief executive Debbie Fleming said: "Every donation to the hospital - large or small in time, money, or expertise - is important in helping us to give patients and visitors the best possible experience.

"On this occasion, with such a very significant donation and legacy, Robert White's immense generosity has enabled us to make a real step change in the development of cancer services in Dorset.

"We are truly indebted to him."

Mike Bayne, a consultant oncologist at Poole Hospital who treated Mr White until his death, paid tribute to him and thanked him for the legacy.

He said: "I am speechless. To have such generosity shown to us is fantastic. It is a huge amount of money.

"Before he died he handed over a cheque for £3m.

"We have been working with the executors of his will who are also close personal friends of his to ensure we will spend the money in the way that he intended which is to be used in the way the NHS was unable to afford.

"The impact that Mr White's incredible generosity will have on patients facing cancer in Dorset cannot be overstated.

"This lasting legacy will continue to benefit patients and their families for years to come.

"Robert White will forever be associated with advances in cancer care in the county, and on behalf of our patients I would like to express our heartfelt thanks."

Jay Leno said: "We spent time together in England before he died. He didn't feel sorry for himself or 'woe-is-me'.

"He realistically faced up to his position and decided he wanted to give something back to the people in Poole who had helped him with his illness.

"And so he and I agreed that I would buy his collection of Broughs for the benefit of the Poole hospital and the cancer wing he wanted to create."

Malcolm Barber, co-chairman of Bonhams, said: "Robert White was a great man and an enthusiast of all things mechanical.

"The collection is the result of a life's passion for photography."

Mr White founded Robert White Photographic Limited in 1982 in a small shop in Poole, before growing the business into an international success, with customers from all over the world.

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