1 million to a cancer charity in memory of his late wife, Mrs. Mary-Jean Green.

Mrs. Green -- who owned Marshall's Island, Warwick -- died of the disease five years ago aged only 39.

Now Mr. Green, currently living in Switzerland, but who still owns Marshall's Island, had handed over the huge cheque to "Breakthrough'' Breast Cancer, which is based in London.

The money will be used to help fund Britain's first full-time breast cancer research centre.

Grateful charity bosses have already told Mr. Green that, in honour of his contribution, the centre's main building will use the name of Mary-Jean Mitchell Green.

The mother-of-two -- a keen mountaineer who conquered the Matterhorn in the 80s -- had many business interests, including mining in North America and farming in South America. She also served on several educational and charitable foundations.

Speaking from Switzerland yesterday, Mr. Green said that he still regarded Bermuda as his home, but that he had moved temporarily because his sons Alexander and Andrew were being educated at a Swiss school.

A spokesman for "Breakthrough'' said Mr. Green's donation would enable the charity to complete its building programme faster than expected.

He added: "We couldn't have wished for a better Christmas present -- the charity is extremely grateful for such generosity and we hope that naming our building in memory of Mary-Jean Mitchell Green will express, at least in part, our gratitude.''