George Michael remembered for his charity work

LONDON (AP): rieving fans mourned the death of George Michael as British charities revealed that the pop star had secretly been a major behind-the-scenes donor who gave his time and money to support cherished causes.

The man with the reputation for self-indulgence had actually given millions of pounds (dollars) to charities involved with helping children, cancer victims and AIDS sufferers.

He was also remembered for small acts of kindness: helping his village in north London get a Christmas tree, and volunteering at a homeless shelter.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney posted a statement on his website praising Michael’s “sweet soul music,”

Gwhich he said will live on. “Having worked with him on a number of occasions, his great talent always shone through and his self- deprecating sense of humour made the experience even more pleasurable,” McCartney said, posting a picture of the two of them together.

The singer’s death was announced late Sunday. Many paid tribute on Facebook and Twitter, and others cited years of good works that received little publicity — largely because Michael insisted on keeping his charity work out of the limelight.

Fans placed flowers and other tributes at his homes in north London and in Goring, England, where he died of apparent heart failure.