RAY OF HOPE

Memorabilia belonging to late legend RAY
CHARLES, including a pair of his sunglasses, will be auctioned off to raise cash for the homeless.

Charles' albums and photographs will also go under the hammer in LA on August 13 in
order to raise cash for Joy Community Outreach To End Homelessness. Organisers hope to raise
$100,000 from the auction – which will also include items donated by Gladys Knight and Whoopi Goldberg, amongst others.

The charity organisation was founded in 1986 by Mable John, one of The Raelettes, Ray
Charles' original back-up singers, to help feed and clothe homeless families.

"I cannot put into words what he meant to me," she said. "But he was always giving to others. He gave us items every year we've held this auction. It's fitting we can help some people through the sale of some of his collection."

Charles donated the items for this year's auction before his death from liver disease on June
10.