A devoted David Bowie fan is organising a fundraising day in Hounslow in memory of the music legend.

Paul Harrison, who works at the Cancer Research UK shop in Hounslow High Street, wants to harness the huge outpouring of emotion to help fight the disease which took the great man's life.

He is sacrificing half his extensive Bowie vinyl collection in aid of the cause and has urged other fans to follow suit or to make a cash donation.

The 58-year-old, who was at the singer's seminal 1973 Hammersmith Odeon (now Apollo) gig where he killed off his alter ego Ziggy Stardust, plans to hold a David Bowie Day at the store on Saturday, March 26. (event now postponed - see note below)

David Bowie performs at The Nokia Isle of Wight Festival 2004 (Jo Hale/Getty Images)

As well as selling a treasure trove of Bowie records and memorabilia on the day, he hopes to persuade tribute acts to perform.

"After David died I read that he had broken the record for the most views of his videos online in a single day - an incredible 51 million," he said.

"I thought that if every one of those people gave just £1 to help fight cancer how much closer we would be to ending this terrible illness.

"So that is what I am asking. If you have ever liked a David Bowie song or if one of his songs brings back happy memories then please give just £1 to help fight cancer.

"In the 70s when David first found international fame as Ziggy Stardust just one in four people who had cancer survived. Now it's one in two and they are hoping that by 2050 it can be three in four.

David Bowie performs his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert later became known as the Retirement Gig (Pic: Express/Express/Getty Images)

"We might be too late to have saved David but we can help our children and grandchildren have a better chance of survival in his name."

Mr Harrison, who lives in Isleworth, describes Bowie as his first hero.

He believes the 'Picasso of pop', who died of cancer on January 10, aged 69, could yet make a lasting impression on the battle against cancer to match his remarkable musical legacy.

For more about Mr Harrison's fundraising campaign and the David Bowie Day he plans to hold in Hounslow, visit his Just Giving page.

* UPDATE ON MARCH 22: The David Bowie fundraising day has been postponed due to unforeseen reasons. Mr Harrison says it is now pencilled in for the last Saturday in April, though the date has yet to be confirmed.