A DEDICATED Halesowen hospital fundraiser has been forced to quit after 14 years due worsening ill health.

Tony Smith, who has arthritis and spinal problems, has helped run a weekly tombola and gift stall at Russells Hall Hospital, which has helped raise more than £100,000 for the pain relief unit.

But fellow fundraiser and friend Gwen Timmins, has vowed to keep the charity stall going after wishing him a fond farewell.

Arthritis and fibromyalgia sufferer Mrs Timmins, who was awarded the MBE for her volunteer work for unit, thanked her charity colleague.

She 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 Mr Smith’s honour at the hospital - 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.

Mrs Timmins, aged 71, plans to continue running the stall with help from fellow volunteer Pauline Hunt 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.”