A SOCIAL evening held at Ombersley club has raised hundreds for a Bromsgrove-based national charity.

Charlie Hodges, 72, lost his wife to a stroke 12 years ago and started fundraising for the charity after he asked for donations for his 70th birthday, rather than presents.

Since then he has gone on to raise £5,000 for the Stroke Association, which has its national headquarters, the Life After Stroke Centre in Church Road, Bromsgrove.

For his latest fundraiser on August 9 he held at fundraiser at the Ombersley Cricket and Bowls Club that managed to raise £700.

Charlie said: “I was devastated when I lost my wife and recently I lost my mother to a stroke too. Fundraising for the Stroke Association gives me hope that other families will not have to suffer this loss in the future.

“We had a fantastic evening in August - many thanks to Dawn and all the ladies at the cricket club who provided a tremendous buffet in the evening whilst listening to Matthew Long, vocalist, and to Eric who operated a BBQ all afternoon and evening.”

Charlie will be holding his next fundraising event, a fish and chip supper, in Rushwick on Saturday, October 25.

For more details call Charlie on 01905 421324 or 07791 560818.