ST Michael’s Hospice has thanked a group of fund-raising stars for 26-years of hard work and support.

Pat Cox, from Lucerne Avenue, Malvern, formed the Malvern Hills Support Group for the Hereford Hospice more than a quarter-of-a-century ago with friends.

Since then the 81-year-old, along with her loyal team of fund-raisers, has hosted and organised more coffee mornings, bazaars, and wine and cheese evenings than she can remember.

The group, which has been retired due to the age and ill health of its members, has raised an incredible £170,000 for the specialist care of patients with life-limited illnesses.

Mrs Cox explained how she started her 26-year association with the hospice. She said: “I was doing Marie Curie night sitting and things like that. There was a group of about six of us and we met up with a Hereford doctor who worked with St Michael’s. It just went from there.”

Along with fellow volunteers Margaret Bray and Barbara Lomas the group developed into a formidable fund-raising team.

Many volunteers dedicated their times over the years to help with a raft of different fund-raising events and Mrs Cox expressed her sincere thanks to them.

She said: “Anybody who has helped us in any little way; they have not been forgotten.”

Head of fund-raising at the hospice, Ruth Denison, said: “St Michael’s Hospice is so very grateful both for the amazing amount of money the group has raised and for the marvellous support they have created in and around the Malvern area. Without the personal dedication of individuals such as Pat Cox, Barbara Lomas and Margaret Bray the Hospice simply wouldn’t survive; we are indebted to them and to the many other members of the group for their tireless work.