A RETIRED nurse from Swindon has raised more than £700 for Prospect Hospice by teaming up with friends and family to host an afternoon tea in memory of two dear friends.

Pensioner Bridie Sullivan, of Ferndale Road, held the tea party in her daughter Siobain Chase’s garden last month and provided delicious home-made cakes for more than 40 guests.

The event was held in memory of Bridie’s friends Mick and Barbara Ross, who died within 10 months of each other. Mick was cared for by Prospect before his death in May 2015.

Bridie visited Mick every day when he was on the in-patient unit at the hospice, and she said the tea party had been a fun way to raise money for the hospice and something they would certainly like to do again.

“It was a lovely day and the sun shone,” said Bridie. “I promised Mick that I would hold an afternoon tea in his memory so I’m very proud of what we have achieved.”

There was also a raffle and a tombola, with prizes including perfume and a DAB radio donated by Tesco and a pair of GHD hair straighteners donated by Regis.

The event was a great success and raised more than £700.

“Prospect Hospice is such a fantastic cause,” said Bridie. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all those who made cakes or donated raffle and tombola prizes, and to those who came along to support us on the day.

“I am definitely planning on doing it again and hopefully we can get even more people to come along.”

Louise Brooks, from the Prospect Hospice Fundraising Team said: “We are so grateful to Bridie and her friends and family for coming together to create such a special event.

The money that they’ve raised will help us to continue to provide care and support to local families, and we really appreciate the time and effort that they put into fundraising.”