AN 83-YEAR-OLD woman who has raised thousands of pounds for Manorlands has won national recognition for her efforts.

Sally Dyer has coined-in more than £35,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice since she began volunteering about seven years ago.

Now she has been highly commended in the Sue Ryder charity's prestigious annual volunteer awards.

Nearly 70 volunteers from across the country were nominated for accolades in tribute to their outstanding contributions.

Mrs Dyer helps out in the Manorlands fundraising office, stages a monthly community coffee morning, sells home-baked cakes at the hospice's garden party and organises an annual brass band concert.

She has also raised £6,500 through knitting and selling scarves.

Mrs Dyer, whose husband was cared for at Manorlands until his death, said she was stunned by delighted to receive the award.

"It came as a total surprise but I feel very proud and privileged," she added.

"I'd known about Manorlands for years but I became more involved after my husband died there.

"I get a huge amount of pleasure from what I do and it is such a wonderful cause."

Manorlands senior fundraiser Hayley Ibbotson paid tribute to her.

"Nothing is ever too much for Sally," she said.

"She is a fantastic volunteer and can always be called upon at a moment's notice to help out whenever we need her.

"I remember last September, Sally volunteered at our Starlight Hike late into the evening on the Saturday. She was then up early the next morning to help at our Mountain Bike Challenge all day, and then was in the fundraising office on Monday morning. What a tremendous effort!

"Without volunteers like Sally we would not be able to continue providing our incredible hospice care. She is a wonderful asset to the team and I am pleased that her dedication and outstanding contribution to the charity has been deservedly acknowledged and celebrated."

Two other Manorlands volunteers – Joe Holmes, 17, who helps with the fundraising team, and Martin Truelove, a volunteer with the hospice's bereavement team – were also among the nominees at the awards, presented at the Royal Pump Rooms in Leamington Spa.

* The hospice is now seeking people to help with a Santa's Grotto at New Coley Nurseries, Denholme, and Keighley's Airedale Shopping Centre.

Anyone able to assist or interested in volunteering at Manorlands is asked to e-mail manorlands.fundraising@sueryder.org, call 01535 640430 or visit sueryder.org/manorlands.