STAFF at one of the region's best known charities have been left stunned by the sudden departure of their high profile chief executive.

Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, 62, told The Northern Echo that he had "retired for health reasons" after almost 21 years as chief executive of Butterwick Hospice Care which funds hospices for adults and young people in Stockton and Bishop Auckland and Butterwick House Children’s Hospice.

It is understood that Mr Leggatt-Chidgey has been off work for about a month and severed ties with the charity in the last few days. 

He said: "It has been a huge privilege to be associated with Butterwick for more than two decades but eras come to an end. 

"I wish the hospice and all of its staff every success for the future." 

Butterwick’s website last night still listed Mr Leggatt-Chidgey as its chief executive.

One member of staff, who declined to be named, said: "We just do not know what is going on but everyone has been shocked by the news."

Butterwick Hospice Care raises funds for the hospice charity which looks after people of all ages who are living with a progressive life limiting illness in the region. Each year it costs more than £4 million to fund Butterwick’s services but it receives less than 25 per cent of this from statutory funds meaning it relies on the rest from donations. 

Mr Leggatt-Chidgey became a very well known figure throughout the North-East as he spearheaded the charity’s fundraising efforts which raised millions of pounds to help deliver care to people across County Durham and Tees Valley.