Bono has opened his heart about his father’s death and told why he’s backing a global hospice awareness day — supported by The Sun Online.

The U2 star’s father Bob passed away in 2001 after losing his long fight with cancer.

And now Bono is throwing his weight behind World Hospice and Palliative Care Day — on October 7 — to highlight the work of the “angels” who cared for his dad in his final days.

The campaigning Irish rocker said: “In life, you try your best to hold on tight to your dignity, in death sometimes others have to hold onto it for you.

“The premise of hospice care is very close to the bone for me. The hospice was available to look after my father before he died of cancer.

“These people are kind of angels. They escort you to the door of your death; they are the midwives for delivery into your next life.

“The comfort and relief they provide is exponential, it spills over to family, friends, colleagues. It’s a blessing that everyone should be able to receive.”

The Sun Online recently won £27 million for children’s hospices in the U.K. after a 6-month campaign to help boost their funding.

Our petition calling for more cash was signed by 250,000 big-hearted readers.

Bono — who is well-known for his role in erasing the debts of poor countries — also spoke of the need for hospice care around the globe.

He added: “In the poorest countries, where so many people are fighting for their lives, the conditions of death don’t get much of a look in.

“But how we care for the sick and dying is surely a litmus test of our humanity. Just as we fight for equality in life, we should fight for equality in death.”

Fellow music legend Sir Elton John has also leant his support. He said: “Please join me in this initiative and make your voice heard.”

Last year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was launched by H.R.H. Princess Anne in London and saw more than 1,100 events in 74 countries.

- News Group Newspapers Ltd., 2006.

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