THE new boss of a hospice which has been plunged into controversy after it emerged its chief executive was facing a police probe has spoken of her determination to steer the organisation through “difficult times”.

Former Karate World Championships finalist Debbie Jones has pledged to take a firm grip of Butterwick Hospice Care, one of the region’s best known charities.

The North-East mother, who has a wealth of experience in health service management, will take over as chief executive of the charity, which has centres in Bishop Auckland and Stockton, on September 1.

The appointment follows previous chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey standing down from the helm of the organisation in April after almost 21 years. It is understood the 62-year-old was asked to leave the Stockton headquarters in the middle of March.

He has since been arrested on suspicion of fraud and a police investigation is ongoing. In June, a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said a file had been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will consider whether any charges should be brought, and a reply was awaited.

Ms Jones, currently the National Service Improvement Manager for NHS Property Services, said: “These are clearly difficult times, and I’m unable to comment in any detail about the police investigation for obvious legal reasons. However, all my efforts will go into moving forward and rebuilding confidence in an organisation that has carried out amazing work for more than 30 years.

“I am extremely excited, and humbled, to be asked to take on this responsibility in an incredibly important organisation that means so much to people in our region.”

The Butterwick Hospice movement was launched in 1984 by Stockton mother-of-four Mary Butterwick. When her beloved husband, John, died of cancer, Mrs Butterwick responded by selling her home to kick-start the finances for a place where people could die with dignity. She died, aged 91, in October 2015.

Ms Jones said: “In the midst of her own personal grief, Mary saw the big picture, and that is what we all have to do now to ensure her precious legacy continues. My priority is to ensure that we run a tight a ship so that our army of loyal fundraisers have complete confidence, and to combine that with ambassadorial duties to keep the Butterwick’s profile is as high as possible.”

She said it spoke volumes about the future of the hospice that Mrs Butterwick’s granddaughter, Karen Holder, had agreed to become the Butterwick’s latest ambassador.

The hospice’s chair of trustees, Judith Hunter, said: “Debbie was appointed from a very strong field of health care professionals and I am confident that we have someone with the experience, leadership skills and empathy to take the organisation into a new era.”

As well as her vast experience in the health sector, Ms Jones is also a former finalist in the Go-Kan-Ryu Karate World Championships and a qualified rugby union coach for youngsters up to the age of 11. She also enjoys gardening.