A PORTLAND widower has started a jewellery business to raise money for cancer charities.

When Eddi Munn, 76, lost his wife Elizabeth to pancreatic cancer two years ago, he decided he wanted to raise awareness and help find a cure for the disease.

In September last year, Eddi and his step daughter Debbie Poole set up ElizabethAnn Jewellery, a non-profit jewellery company specialising in customised bracelets.

All proceeds are split equally between Pancreatic Cancer Action and The Institute of Cancer Research.

Eddi said: "After losing my wife, I didn't know what to do with myself. Suddenly, I saw an advert for charity and I thought that was probably the best way I could help."

Initially Eddi fundraised by taking on the London to Brighton charity cycle but decided he needed a more permanent venture.

Eddi, who worked in the oil industry after emigrating to Canada with Elizabeth in 1991, said: "When my wife and I were in Canada some years ago we came across jewellery which had been specially made like ours. I tried to source it after she passed away, but couldn't find it anywhere, so thought I would make my own."

Currently, the bracelets come in three different designs including a solid silver ribbon bangle, silver link bracelet, and a Swarovski crystal beaded version.

The Swarovski bracelets, which Eddi hand makes at home, are available in 26 colours each corresponding to a different type of cancer.

Eddi and Elizabeth became childhood sweethearts in the 1950s when they met at Weymouth Technical College and spent four happy years together before Eddi moved away.

It was not until 1990, when Eddi returned to Weymouth, that the pair were reunited and began a new life together in Canada, returning in 2012 when Elizabeth fell ill.

Daniel Moran, Master Goldsmith and Director at Good as Gold, Weymouth, has assisted the father-daughter team with the project.

He said: "We helped Eddi come up with the designs and created the master moulds based on what he wanted. We decided to do all the work at cost price and charged very little for labour. It was a very ethical piece so we used fair trade silver to put the jewellery together."

"The bracelets look lovely all different people and everyone finds them attractive and reassuring that they are raising money and awareness."

Entirely funded from Eddi and Debbie's own money, the pair have spent the last year dealing with administrative tasks before they could begin to turn a profit and have now raised £2200 for the charities.

Debbie, 53, from Newton Abbot, said: "I have my own website and business so was able to help with that side of things. We chose to donate the money to two smaller charities because we felt our money could make a real difference.

"We chose Pancreatic Cancer Action because that is what mum died of. Pancreatic cancer is a hidden disease, a lot of people tend not to know they have it until it's too late, so it's really important to raise awareness."

Bracelets are available from the website: www.jewelleryforcancer.co.uk.