A DETERMINED Hasbury woman refused to let her recent hip replacement stop her from raising vital funds for a "fantastic" hospice which cared for her husband prior to his death

Gillian Little wanted to raise funds to thank Mary Stevens Hospice where her husband was at that time a patient.

She set herself a challenge of walking 20 lengths of the corridor outside of his room on February 8.

Word spread and she ended up raising the superb total of £560.33, with donations coming in from as far as Africa and Australia.

Mrs Little said: "My husband was so ill and I felt I just wanted to do something to help the hospice.

"I've been immobile for three years before my operation and had lost a bit of confidence in using my legs. To tell you the truth, it did me the world of good."

She ended up beating her 20 length target, and completed 39 lengths of the corridor, spurred on by doctors, nurses, visitors and patients, some of who also donated money.

Sadly Mrs Little's husband David passed away on February 13.

She said: "I've lost David and I'm heartbroken, but I'm glad that I was able to give something back to the hospice whose staff and volunteers were fantastic. I'd also like to thank all of the people who donated for their amazing generosity."

Mr Little's funeral is being held at 1.30pm on Friday, March 6 at Stourbridge Crematorium. The family are asking that if people wish, they can make donations to Mary Stevens Hospice, rather than arranging flowers.