A RETIRED Tenbury volunteer who raised more than £21,000 for Cancer Research UK over 23 years has appealed to other members of the community to continue to help "turn hope into a cure".

Daphne Allen hopes that other tireless fund-raisers will support a series of forthcoming Relay for Life events organised by Cancer Research UK.

Daphne said: "Local people have always supported me and it would be wonderful if my efforts could continue with this Relay For Life event and a band of local people working together to beat cancer.

"I am too old to continue now. But I am sure there are people out there who will be able to collectively carry on my work and Cancer Research UK offers excellent training and support."

Area volunteer manager for Cancer Research UK, Maria Parker, was on hand to present Daphne with her retirement certificates and a special badge.

She said: "Daphne has been such a dedicated and successful fund-raising volunteer in Tenbury and we are delighted to recognise her efforts.

"Daphne wants to help us to continue the work in the Tenbury area and will be dropping leaflets round and about for people to get in touch with us and continue to make a difference."

Relay For Life brings together the whole community in a 24-hour festival of hope and remembrance to celebrate the strides being made to beat cancer and to raise funds to conquer the disease. During the event, teams of people take turns to walk, run, skip or crawl around a track in a relay following an opening lap of honour by cancer survivors.

At midnight, the atmosphere quietens as the Candle of Hope Ceremony - the most poignant part of Relay For Life - begins. Mrs Parker added: "We would love to establish a Relay For Life in the area and enable the Tenbury Wells and district area to be part of the world's biggest fund-raising event."

For details, call Mrs Parker on 07799662159 or log on to www.cancerresearchuk.org/relay