THE founder of Worcestershire's St Richard's Hospice has retired from her role as chairman.

Jeannie Young is stepping down after more than 20 years dedicated voluntary service to the hospice, which cares for patients and families living with cancer and other life-limiting illness.

Since 1984 Mrs Young has seen the hospice grow from caring for just a handful of people to more than 1,600 patients and families.

"As a founder from all those years ago, and chairman for the last six years, it has been my privilege to have worked with so many like-minded colleagues who have dreamed the dream and seen it come true," she said. "Having reached this wonderful stage in the life of St Richard's I now feel it is time for a new chairman to steer the fantastic team into a new era."

Mrs Young, of Tibberton, near Droitwich, is succeeded by John Bawden, who has been a hospice governor for three years and vice- chairman of the St Richard's new hospice appeal which secured £5.25 million for the centre in Wildwood Drive, near County Hall, Worcester.

He said: "It will be a hard act to follow Jeannie, but I am delighted to take on the role of chairman in this new era of care in our new hospice."

Hospice chief executive Mark Jackson said: "The contribution that Jeannie Young has made to St Richard's is enormous.

"She was one of the founders who sat in a kitchen in a Droitwich house and said we must do something about palliative care in Worcestershire.

"What we have today is an extraordinary legacy to that vision and in particular Jeannie's personal contribution, dedication and inspirational leadership in her six years as chairman."

Mrs Young and her husband Rob, also a former governor at the hospice, plan to spend more time with their family. However, she will continue to offer her expertise and time as a volunteer.