GLOWING tribute has been paid to a long-serving volunteer who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Manorlands.

Sally Dyer began fundraising after her husband Stanley was cared for by the team at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice in 2007.

She started a monthly coffee morning, which has become one of the most successful community events ever held by a Manorlands supporter – coining-in £30,000.

And she and her family and friends have staged a wide range of other events, including an annual concert featuring the locally-based Sultans of Swing band. The latest concert raised over £2,000.

Her efforts over the years have coined-in a whacking £70,000.

Now Sally is ‘retiring’ from her annual events, but will continue to work alongside the hospice’s fundraising department.

“Sally is simply one in a million,” said Manorlands community fundraiser, Harriet Wood.

“It’s overwhelming to think of the sheer level of commitment that she has dedicated towards the hospice over the years and we will always be extremely grateful for her incredible gift.

“Aside from the fundraising events she has organised, Sally is a terrific ambassador for Manorlands – always keen to promote our amazing work and encourage others to support us as and when they can.

“I would also like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to Sally’s family and friends, who have supported her through this journey and contributed towards the total.”

Sally said her husband spent three weeks at the hospice during which time he received “what I can only describe as the most wonderful care I could ever have wished for”.

She added: “I wanted to give something back to say thank you.

“I was introduced to the fundraising team and from there I worked alongside it to help raise as much money as I could, starting with my coffee morning.

“I’ve gone on to volunteer in many different ways for Manorlands, just doing what I could to support the place that supported me and my family when it was most needed.

“I’m just glad to have been able to give something back to them.”

All Manorlands services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.

Most of the funds have to be raised through voluntary donations.