OMBERSLEY golfers got into the swing of fund-raising over the last year raising £1,000 for St Richard's Hospice.

Former Ombersley Golf Club seniors' captain Ryan Hodgetts chose the hospice as his Charity of the Year at the start of his captaincy. Funds were raised through a number of events at the club, including raffles and a golf competition.

Mr Hodgetts said he chose St Richard's as he felt his senior golf companions would be happy to support it and it is in need of funds to help build a new £5.25m hospice near County Hall in Spetchley.

The new hospice will combine all the current services offered to patients with 15 specialist palliative care beds.

Building work is due to start this summer with the new hospice opening to patients in 2006.