Ashby's former Mayor, Cllr Avril Wilson, has raised almost £5,000 for the Bright Hope Hospice.

Cllr Wilson, who was town Mayor last year, presented a cheque for just over £4,500 to the Hospice at the Bright Hope support cafe, which runs every Friday afternoon at Legion House in Ashby.

Bright Hope was Cllr Wilson's chosen charity for the year 2023-24, but she said she did not expect to raise such a large amount.

She told Ashby Nub News: "It's difficult to raise funds, and when I left work in social services and, when I left, I said I didn't think I'd do it again, but here I am.

Bright Hope trustee, Peter Last, with Cllr Wilson

"I didn't expect this amount and sometimes it's a question of how to do it.

"There was a quiz night, a cocktail evening and a Gresley Male Voice Choir concert at Holy Trinity Church.

"We raised another £500 from the Civic Dinner and there's been a couple of hundred raised since.

"I enjoyed organising the events, that was very rewarding."

Cllr Wilson also said the strength of feeling for Bright Hope was reflected in the money that was raised.

She added: "Stewart Shepherd, Chair of Hospice Hope, was at two events to speak to everyone and tell them how much money they need to raise every year - as well as how much had gone into the new Bright Hope House at Swannington. That's an amazing facility."

Peter Last, a trustee at Bright Hope, accepted the Mayor's donation at Legion House.

He said: "We got the keys to the facility on February 5 and this donation has come at a time when the charity is working hard at the new building.

"We're providing more services for people than we've ever done, so this contribution from Avril is tremendous - we're exceptionally grateful and thank her very much."

Bright Hope relies on volunteers and donations to maintain the services that it offers.

Peter added: "We've been very fortunate in that new volunteers are coming along, they see the new premises and what we're doing - and they want to be involved, even if it's only for half a day, once a week or once a fortnight, it's attractive to people.

"We have about 70 volunteers at the moment - that's gone up by about 20 in the last few months, once the new building became a reality.

"People can get involved with the people who come to the Day Centre - they're guests, not patients, but they all have some sort of life-limiting condition.

"There's the opportunity to speak to people and help out with teas, coffees and lunches.

"We're interested in people who might want to work in the kitchens or have computer skills, people skills, administrative or cleaning skills.

"Also we need people who can help with driving from homes to the centre in Swannington. That's always a challenge and we always need drivers.

"But any sort of skills are needed - it's very wide ranging. There's no limit."

Bright Hope was founded in 2001 after a facility at Staunton Harold closed.

It continued to support people in North West Leicestershire.

Peter added: "It was a concept of a small group of people, but it's been very rewarding."

If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, you can make contract via the Bright Hope website HERE.