A GROUP of dedicated fund-raisers have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the founding of their organisation, which has raised more than £20,000 for a Stourport surgery.

The Friends of York House marked the milestone at the Stourport Social Day Centre with entertainment by the Stourport Cantorus Choir.

Their first committee was set up by former town mayor Roy Crowe to support the York House Medical Centre.

It was one of the first organisations of its kind set up to raise funds for a medical centre in England.

The aim of the friends is to pay for items not funded by the NHS and the organisation boasts more than 400 members. Items donated over the years include waiting room chairs, a telephone for patients and an electronic Jayex board.

Fund-raising events have ranged from quizzes, fashion shows, and cheese and wine evenings to summer pudding events.

June Powell, chairman, said: “The friends are extremely important. There are a lot of items the NHS does not fund and sometimes the medical centre is also in need of extra facilities and equipment. The fund-raising has made a real difference for patients, while our events provide a friendly atmosphere for people to meet.

“The anniversary celebration went well, with more than 60 friends attending.

“We are quite relieved that we have managed to keep going, as it is often difficult to get people to join the committee. We would like to say thank you to all those who have supported us and our events over the last 10 years.” All patients are welcome to the friends’ Christmas coffee morning on Saturday, December 5, from 10am at the surgery.