FRIENDS of a champion Stockton fundraiser who died recently of cancer have raised money for the hospice that supported her.

Residents of the Railway Housing Association-owned Hackworth Court sheltered housing scheme in Fairfield recently held a coffee morning to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice.

One of the residents, Anne Leck, received support from the charity’s day care service during her battle against lung cancer, which sadly took her life in March this year.

Mrs Leck, 75, was actually in the process of organising the coffee morning when she died, so residents at Hackworth Court, led by her best friend Kath Northam, decided to honour her memory by continuing with the event, which raised £480.

Mrs Northam said: “Anne and I had known each other for over 40 years and when we moved to Hackworth Court we started to organise regular coffee mornings and other events to raise money for charities, such as Butterwick Hospice and Macmillan.

“Now she has gone it is like losing my right arm, and I will miss her more than anything in the world, but we will continue raising money in her memory. That’s the very least we could do.”

Mrs Leck's daughter Suzanne Pigott attended the residents’ most recent coffee morning this week to accept the cheque on behalf of Butterwick Hospice.

She said: “Mum went to the day care service every week and I know being there helped her a lot.

“She loved organising events with Kath and her other friends and whilst we feel she has been taken from us far too soon, it’s nice to know her memory will live on at Hackworth Court.”

Clare Richardson, Railway Housing Association tenancy services officer, said: “Anne was such a popular person and will be missed by everyone at Hackworth Court.”