Charlie’s fish and chips make £700 for stroke victims (From Worcester News)

Charlie’s fish and chips make £700 for stroke victims

12:50pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By James Connell

AN “inspirational” pensioner who lost his wife to a stroke has raised a predicted £700 to help others who have suffered from the brain injury.

Charlie Hodges organised a fish and chip supper for the community in Rushwick Village Hall to raise money for the Stroke Association.

Mr Hodges, of Newland Crescent, St John’s, Worcester, who lost his wife to a stroke 10 years ago, started fund-raising for the charity when he asked for donations for his 70th birthday rather than presents.

He worked with several people in the community to make his fish and chip supper a success with the local chippy providing the food at a considerable discount.

Entertainment was provided free of charge by an all-female saxophonist quartet and a cabaret singer while Mr Hodges and a team of volunteers provided bread and butter, salt and vinegar and sauces.

Claire Benfield from the Stroke Association said: “Charlie worked so hard and the event was a real success. It was a lovely community event and the fish and chips were amazing.

"Charlie is an inspiration to many and the money he has raised will help stroke survivors across the region.”

Funds are still be collected from the evening, but it is estimated that they have raised more than £700.

The Stroke Association is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will use the cash to fund ground-breaking research, campaign for change and provide vital support for thousands of stroke survivors and their families each year.