A MERRY band of Ridgway residents have raised more than £10,000 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice after a decade of hosting a Christmas refreshment stall outside Morgan’s Butchers.

From 6am until close on December 23 and 24, Mike and Suzi Hall and Pan and Roz Panayiotou with the support of friends and fellow residents in Ridgway Road, again provided light relief while shoppers queued for their Christmas turkeys.

Teas, coffees, mulled wine and mince pies were offered along with a raffle - raising £1,155.71 and taking the total raised in the ten years the event has been run to more than £10,000.

Pan told The Herald: “We are always amazed by the kindness and generosity of the general public especially in poor weather.

“The teas, coffees, mulled wine and mince pies would not be possible without the help and support of Tesco Express with electricity provided by the Ridgway Hair Salon. This year’s big raffle prizes were kindly donated by Morgan’s the Butchers to name but a few.

“The local residents and neighbours who man the stall for the duration of the event do so with extreme generosity and without hesitation even and their support, as always is greatly appreciated.

“All donations will go to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, to support the amazing and wonderful work they do. A huge thank you to all those who donated so generously.”