Son's epic voyage in aid of Sergeant Frank's Cumbrian charity legacy

LEGACY: Jonty Bilson, pictured right with wife Babs, is determined to raise awareness of the Sergeant Frank Foundation, established in memory of his late father, centre, who raised thousands for charity during Covid

A Cumbrian man is heading off on a round-the-world cruise – in memory of his late father.

Charity champion Frank Bilson, who died in 2022 aged 96, was renowned for his tireless fundraising efforts for good causes in Maryport.

Known as “Sergeant Frank” in recognition of his 46-year career with Cumbria Police, he attracted worldwide attention during the pandemic by recording his version of The Laughing Policeman to raise money for the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Now his son Jonty, 60, hopes his own gruelling eight-month trek on board the Queen of The Seven Seas next year, with his wife Babs, will help keep Frank’s precious legacy alive.

“After dad died the donations kept rolling in, so me and Babs set up the Sergeant Frank Charitable Foundation to ensure the money benefited the causes close to his heart,” Jonty explained.

“Initially we were able to give hand-outs to the likes of the Calvert Trust, Hospice at Home, and a couple of animal charities. Then Babs suggested that what dad really would have wanted was a new bathroom suite.”

The couple believe Frank would have also wanted the conservatory and sauna they have recently added to their two-bedroomed home in Maryport, as well as Jonty’s £160,000 Range Rover SV.

WHAT HE WOULD HAVE WANTED: The Queen of the Seven Seas will take eight months to sail around the world

“Last month we decided that what dad would have wanted most of all was for us to go on a round-the-world cruise,” Jonty said. “To raise the profile of the Foundation and help good causes, of course,” he added quickly.

Setting off from Southampton, the luxury cruise will head first for New York, taking in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean before returning to the UK in early 2026. Standard class cabins start from £93,000 per person, with First Class accommodation costing as much as £645,000 per person.

“Dad died of Covid-related exhaustion, but he would have been thrilled that his legacy lives on,” said Jonty. “If this cruise can keep his Foundation going, then there’s no reason a villa in Portugal won’t either.”

Jonty has set up a JustGiving Page to help with the drinks bill.