A WOMAN who has dedicated herself to fundraising has donated almost £8,000 to a children’s hospice.

Joan Mottram, 86, has been raising cash for local charities for 37 years, and turned her attention to Little Havens Hospice, in Thundersley, in 2006.

She holds an annual fundraising sale and regularly puts some of her money aside for the charity, which helps to care for seriously ill babies, children, teenagers and their families.

Mrs Mottram, from Pitsea, has raised a total of £7,736 for Little Havens over the past eight years.

She said: “I am so thankful that I have been able to do my bit over the years to help support Little Havens and the amazing work it does caring for local children and their families. I have visited the hospice on a few occasions and each time I never fail to be impressed by what I see.

“It inspires me to want to do more for such a fantastic local charity.

“I would like to thank everybody who has supported my fundraising events over the years, especially my daughter, Michelle, as I really couldn’t have done all this without her wonderful support.”

At her most recent sale, in Maldon, Mrs Mottram sold donated goods, knitted items, children’s clothes and general bric-a-brac to raise £500, which she topped up with an extra £500 she had saved throughout the year.

Claire Wilson, community fundraiser for Little Havens Hospice, said: “I would like to congratulate Joan on her amazing dedication to fundraising over so many years and thank her for all the support she has given to Little Havens since 2006.

“At Little Havens, we help by controlling pain and giving medication, offering respite and caring for children at the end of their lives.

All of this care is free of charge and that is only possible because of the commitment of people like Joan to support the charity.”