A DEDICATED volunteer who has given her time free of charge to a health care scheme in Worcester for more than 40 years has retired.

Mary Hemming, aged 83, has helped run the Orchard Healthcare Plan - which began as a lifeline health scheme for Worcestershire factory workers back in the 1920s - since the 60s.

Known as the Hospital Saturday Fund, after the war it became the Penny A Week fund and 8,000 workers used to queue up to pay their pennies once a week.

During the 1960s Mrs Hemming joined her husband Ken, who was already on the executive committee, and helped organise hospital treatment and convalescent trips to the seaside for workers who were ill. Over the years she has watched the scheme grow to include a wider range of benefits, including dental and optical services, physiotherapy, health screening and complementary therapies.

Ken Hemming served the scheme with great dedication until his death four years ago and now, partially-sighted Mrs Hemming has just retired from the executive committee at the Worcester Hospital Contributors Association, which administers the Orchard Healthcare Plan, due to her own health problems. Mrs Hemming, of St Oswalds Close, Worcester, has been presented with a digital radio as a token of gratitude by the WHCA chairman Mike Hardiman.

She said: "I have had a lot of satisfaction over the years seeing people regain their health with the help of the scheme. We have introduced a lot of new benefits and it's a very good plan for people today as it offers cover for the whole family."

Mr Hardiman said: "We are extremely grateful to Mary for the time she has given up to help steer WHCA.

"Mary is typical of a number of our committee members who have served over many years without financial reward because they believe in the non-profit making ethos of the scheme".

The Orchard Healthcare Plan continues to run as an affordable alternative to private medical insurance, serving employees from many well known local companies including Brintons and West Mercia Constabulary.

WHCA is a non-profit making organisation and the fund exists entirely for the benefit of members. Executive committee members serve in a voluntary capacity. Anyone interested in the scheme can ring 01905 729090 or visit www.whcaorchard.com