A widow has dedicated her life to supporting the charities that cared for her late husband.

Prestbury resident Mary Hindle has raised almost £17,000 for local charities.

The bulk of that, just over £12,000, has been donated to East Cheshire Hospice where her late husband Ian was a patient.

"My heart is with the hospice because that's where my husband spent his final three weeks," Mary said.

Ian was diagnosed with cancer in 2007.

The HR consultant was treated by The Christie, which has also benefitted from Mary's donations along with Macmillan and Cancer Research.

Ian spent the final weeks of his life at East Cheshire Hospice, where he passed away in September 2011, age just 63.

Mary, a retired schoolteacher, began volunteering at the hospice in 2016 and each November holds a charity day at her home in Prestbury.

Last year's event raised a record £2,020, with Mary recently paying a visit to the hospice to hand in the cheque.

Mary recently visited the hospice to hand in a cheque for £2,020 raised at her charity event last November (Credit: Cheshire East Hospice)

Mary's friends Angie Entwistle, Carol Waters and Linda Richardson helped her put on the event.

"I couldn't do it without them," she said.

"I send out about 100 invitations by email in early October and we had about 80 guests last year between 10am and 3pm.

"They buy Christmas cards supplied by the hospice, eat cake, buy raffle tickets and cakes and put generous donations in the pot. Hospice staff come along to support.

"People feel as though they're doing something for charity. Everyone has been touched by the hospice or known someone with cancer."

Mary, a member of The Tytherington Club, added: "The day has turned into a lovely social occasion to which everyone is welcome.

"It's an opportunity to meet friends old and new and buy early Christmas cards.

"While old friends have been supporting the day for years, there are always new acquaintances."