The parents of Cong Fei have taken up his good work in helping the needy.

Cong, a well-known singer in China died of stomach cancer in Shenzhen on April 20 last year, at age 37.

Cong was popular among TV viewers and newspaper readers, and above all, for his charitable work towards poor children.

Cong's parents, despite being poor, donated 10,000 yuan ($1,278) to orphans in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during a charity event in Shenzhen last month, according to the Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis News.

Zhang Wanjun, Cong's father, and mother, Li Caifeng, also pledged to donate their corneas on their deaths, as their son had done.

While struggling for life in hospital, Cong never forgot the children of poor families living in the western part of the country where he was known as "Daddy Cong".

He had donated more than 3 million yuan ($383,631) to more than 150 children and handicapped people. His corneas have helped two people regain their sights.

Cong's deeds have touched the hearts of many Chinese people.

Thousands of local residents turned up at the Shenzhen Funeral Home to bid farewell to him on April 22, last year, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily said.

"With Cong's passing, we have taken up his baton of love to help others," Zhang told the paper.

Zhang and his wife, both in their 70s, are living a life of poverty in prosperous Shenzhen.

They eat only two meals a day, and find it difficult to pay their bills.

However, despite the difficulties, Cong's parents refuse to seek financial aid from the community or the local government.

"The government has already helped us a lot," Zhang said.

Following Cong's death, the Shenzhen municipal government has given the couple 200,000 yuan ($25,575) to help pay off their mortgage, and a monthly allowance of 300-yuan ($38) for Cong's daughter.

"And there are also many kind people who frequently visit us and donate money. We really feel grateful to them," Zhang told the paper.

Cong's parents, who are now living with Cong's young daughter Zhang Ruihan, rely heavily on their monthly pension of 1,500 yuan ($191).

The pension is enough to support their daily lives in their hometown in Northeastern Liaoning Province, but in the prosperous special economic zone bordering Hong Kong, they are finding it difficult.

"We really cannot afford the apartment's management fees that has accrued to more than 4,000 yuan ($511) in the past six months," Zhang said.

"Though the school has waived tuition fees for Cong's daughter, we still have to spend more than 1,000 yuan ($127) on her food and clothes every month, and if she becomes ill, our pension is far from enough," Zhang said.

Zhang said his wife had been feeling ill recently, but refused to see doctor, fearing a hospital visit would be too costly.

Editor: Yan