A CHARITY stalwart is stepping down after 15 years and £160,000 worth of fund-raising for a hospice.

Marilyn Coleclough, 68, of Sandford Avenue, Loughton, has been chairwoman of the Loughton Friends of St Clare Hospice since she founded it in 1994.

In her time as chair she has helped transform the Hastingwood hospice with extra beds and in-patient facilities.

She was inspired to begin her fund-raising efforts after her husband George was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“When people are really struggling to cope with a terminal illness there's a great need and St Clare were very involved in my husband's care,” she said. “They had a shortage of beds so we started the group up to help.

“Initially there wasn't a lot of knowledge for St Clare so we needed to get on the streets and appeal. It's been brilliant and now a lot of people know about it.”

Marilyn's greatest achievement has been organising the annual Sunflower Ball, at the Metropolitan Police Club, in Chigwell which this year raised more than £6,000.

She said: “When we first held the ball we thought we'd never get enough people to fill the room and this year we had nearly 240.”

After a decade and a half of fund-raising Marilyn has now stepped down from her position with the best-wishes of the hospice she has served.

She said: “I think it's time to move on into something else. I'm sure there are other people who'd like to come forward and show their support for St Clare's. Sometimes it's good to have change.

“I've got nothing but beautiful memories of all the things I've been involved with. I've made a lot of friends and got involved in all sorts of projects. I'd like to thank all the volunteers who have helped over the years."