BIG-HEARTED Black Country businessman Dave Berry has given Mary Stevens Hospice the perfect present this Christmas - a £10,000 windfall.

The donation represents the end of a year of celebrations and fundraising to commemorate his 80th birthday, the 50th anniversary of his company, Berry's Fuelling Technologies, and the 25th anniversary of the Stourbridge hospice.

Mr Berry has been a prodigious fundraiser for the hospice raising more than £40,000 over the years and even completed a sponsored John O'Groats to Land's End driving challenge during the summer.

He drove the length of the country stopping off to collect donations from business partners with whom he has worked with since starting his company in 1966, clocking up well over 2,000 miles along the way.

Breaking the £40,000 barrier prompted his generous donation of a further £10,000, to take him past a staggering £50,000 donated to the Hospice.

Charlotte Schofield, head of fundraising and lottery, Mary Stevens Hospice Group said: “Any donation that enables us to support people is so gratefully received, and it's not unfair to say that Dave had already contributed so, so much to this hospice and our ability to look after people when they need us the most.

"So when he called a meeting with us all, we obviously went in already full of gratitude for all he's done for us, both historically and this year as part of his year of celebrations.

"We honestly just expected it to be a bit of a debrief about his summer driving challenge, and an opportunity to thank him for his efforts.

"So when he pulled out a cheque for £10,000, we were stunned."

He added: "Just £3 pays for a meal here for a patient, so you can imagine just how far £50,000 goes - he's made a truly incredible contribution.”

Dan Malin, PR and digital media specialist at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “It tells you everything you need to know about Dave that he didn't want any "red carpet" around this donation, as he put it.

"It was just something he wanted to do, because he wants to support the families who rely on our care in their hour of need."

He added: "However, some stories should be told and in Dave's case, we've got a fantastic supporter and great friend who continues to do wonderful things for people, without any expectation of anything in return. Stories like that deserve to be told.

"After everything he's done, you'd forgive him for having a break but last time he came in, he showed us his 2017 diary absolutely stacked full of public speaking events, all of which he uses to raise funds for the hospice.

"This is a fantastic man, quietly working tirelessly through his retirement, so that local families can access the support they deserve when they need it most. "He's quite a bloke."