Wednesday, July 27, 2011 2:50am ET by  
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Mitch Winehouse to launch the Amy Winehouse Foundation

The tragic death of Amy Winehouse on Saturday, July 23, has spurred her devoted father, Mitch, on to create a special foundation to "help those struggling with substance abuse". 

Having experienced life with an addict first hand, Mitch told the Daily Mail newspaper that it's heartbreaking to go through and only the wealthy can enjoy the privilege of entering a private rehabilitation clinic in the UK. 

This charitable organisation, aptly named the Amy Winehouse Foundation, will aim to defy this exception and will also extend beyond just helping people with drugs and alcohol related problems. He explained:

"I was with my cousin Michael when I heard (about Amy's death) and straight away I said I wanted an Amy Winehouse Foundation, something to help the things she loved - children, horses, but also to help those struggling with substance abuse."

"In this country, if you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help. With the help of Keith Vaz MP, we are trying to change that."

Winehouse herself was no stranger to charity and in 2010 donated her song 'Back To Black' to the Global Fund's Born HIV Free campaign. No further details have been given on Mitch's plans as of yet, but you can watch coverage of the singer's funeral here: