A WOMAN’S final wish has been granted after donations made following her funeral were presented to the hospice which cared for her.

Maureen Simpson, originally of Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, died at the age of 69 earlier this year – just two years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The mother-of-one had in that time helped raise about £5,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. But it was her final act of generosity that saw £1,100 handed to the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland, where she visited weekly for care.

Her husband Jimmy Simpson said: “She came up every week on a Friday and was only supposed to come for eight weeks but they asked if she would keep coming because she was such an inspiration. She loved coming here and being among everyone and the nurses were very good to her.”

Mrs Simpson was well known in Bishop Auckland, where she worked for 15 years in Etheringtons Newsagents, on Cockton Hill, and through her dedication the methodist movement and women’s groups in the town and nearby Witton Park.

Following her death on June 27, Mrs Simpson’s funeral took place at Witton Park Methodist Church where funds were donated.

Lead day care nurse Anne Marwood thanked the Simpsons for their donation.

She said: “It (the donation) means a lot because personally we don’t look for anything and it’s a sign of appreciation.”

“It gives money back which is good because money is always tight.”