A DEDICATED Kingswinford hospital supporter has vowed to keep her charity stall going after saying a fond farewell to a long-time fundraising friend.

Gwen Timmins, who was awarded the MBE for her volunteer work for the pain relief unit at Russells Hall Hospital, thanked charity colleague Tony Smith for his efforts over the last 14 years in helping her to run a weekly tombola and gift stall at the hospital.

The venture has helped bring in more than £100,000 over the last decade for the unit where arthritis and fibromyalgia sufferer Gwen and Tony, who has arthritis and spinal problems, have been treated for many years.

But due to his worsening condition Mr Smith from Halesowen has decided to call it a day.

Gwen said: "He's been a great friend - I shall miss him. He's been helping me for nearly 14 years. In the early days we were at Corbett Hospital and we used to have a stall at Wordsley Carnival."

A party was held in Tony's honour at the hospital on September 2 - when the fundraisers also handed over a cheque for nearly £7,000 to help pay for much-needed items for the ward including new foot stools and a new fridge for medicines.

Gwen, aged 71, said she plans to continue running the stall with help from fellow volunteer Pauline Hunt from Kingswinford - while she has stock available,

She added: "We'll carry on doing it the best we can - but we are really struggling as people aren't donating as much as they were."

Karen Phillips, fundraising manager for the Dudley Group NHS Charity, said: “The charity is so grateful for all the fundraising Gwen and Tony have done for A1. Their dedication to supporting our patients who suffer with chronic pain has, over the years, made such a difference.”