A CANCER victim and former neurologist has achieved his dying wish from beyond the grave.

Christopher Fursdon-Davis used his will to set up a “social change” charity, appointing his friends as trustees and urging them to continue his work.

The Abingdon Centre for a Caring, Enlightened and Sustainable Society (Access) will aim to spark social change through educational talks and by funding research.

Trustee Daniel Sharf, who knew Dr Fursdon-Davis for 40 years, said: “He was most interested in social care – that was his passion.

“He cared for people, for the environment. He was passionate that we were becoming a less caring society.

“He had a fantastic career but he was becoming less happy. He became disillusioned with the NHS, and got into the Occupy movement.”

Mr Sharf, 52, said his friend realised after he became ill that he wanted to set up Access.

He went on: “With his resources – he had money and property – he has bequeathed Access through his will.

“His hope was that his property itself (the Old Vicarage in Drayton) would be used for meetings.

“We don’t know how much he decided to put aside for the experiment but the intention was to leave £50,000, which is being sorted at the moment by the executors of his will.”

Dr Fursdon-Davis was 75 when he died from cancer at Sobell House in November, after a long career saving lives at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

Mr Sharf said it was no shock to read about Access in his will, which has been left in the hands of Dr Fursdon-Davis’s two grown-up sons.

The Drayton resident said: “I share his beliefs about social change starting with education – we started holding meetings 18 months ago, but Chris was bedbound.”

Since his death the trustees have held almost a dozen meetings, inviting members of the public to attend talks by top scholars including Oxford University professors.

Mr Sharf said: “We have been drawing in audiences of about 30 people. We discuss the ways of the world, like inequality, climate change, George Orwell, the economy.

“They’re pretty low-key events, there is no entrance fee, but we pass a hat around to cover the costs for each venue, to pay speakers’ expenses, plus refreshments.”

Dr Fursdon-Davis was a firm believer of the Occupy movement, which fights for a new political system that puts people, democracy and the environment before profit.

In a post on Occupy London’s website, a friend of Dr Fursdon-Davis wrote: “He was a caring man who was full of ideas and idealism. He lived a full life.

“He was a champion of Occupy and democracy. He had a youthful and mischievous sense of humour.

“He was caring, compassionate and cheerful.”

Dr Fursdon-Davis wished that his house would be the venue for Access’ talks, but the property is currently in probate.

The trustees will meet on Sunday to decide which direction to take the charity, including whether to sell the Old Vicarage to plough money into the cause.