RAY CHARLES - CHARLES ITEMS GO UNDER THE HAMMER

Items belonging to late jazz legend RAY CHARLES are to be auctioned in Los Angeles this year (04) - to raise money for homeless families.

The GEORGIA ON MY MIND singer - who died last month (JUN04) of liver failure - contributed an array of lots to charity JOY COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO END HOMELESSNESS prior to his death, including this last batch.

And charity boss MABEL JOHN, who sang with the late star, hopes his kindness will help the organisation raise $100,000 (GBP53,640).

She enthuses, "I cannot put into words what he meant to me.

"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."

Memorabilia up for auction on 13 August (04) includes a pair of Charles' trademark sunglasses, albums and photographs.