THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for charity in memory of a popular Worcestershire nurse who was awarded an MBE for her services to nursing.

Following the death of Deseree Green, who was known as Desi, in September from cancer at the age of 60, members of the public dug deep into their pockets to raise £6,000.

Her husband John, of Laugherne Road, St John's, decided to split the money between St Richard's Hos-pice and Cancer Research UK. He said: "Me and my daughter Lara are overwhelmed by the expressions of appreciation and condolences which these donations represent."

So loved and admired was Desi that about 1,000 people attended her funeral at Worcester Cathedral.

Describing his wife, Mr Green said: "Desi had a remarkable zest for life and enriched the lives of all those who knew her.

"She had a magic sparkle. Her energy and enthusiasm for life was infectious.

"She was, said a friend, like a bottle of finest champagne - beautiful, delicate and full of bubbles."

Desi was born into a farming family who lived near Oswestry, Shropshire.

She did her nursing training at Nottingham's City Hospital and qualified in 1966 and later trained to become a midwife.

She transferred to Dudley Road Hospital, Birming-ham, where she spent 10 years before moving to Worcester where she eventually became a GP practice nurse. Following the birth of Lara, she began a 20-year career as a community nursing sister caring for patients in rural Worcestershire, particularly in Knightwick, Martley, Clifton and Great Witley, Worcestershire.

Her services to nursing were recognised in 2000 when she was awarded an MBE. Desi was also an adventurer. Her expeditions included high altitude ice climbing in the French and Italian Alps, an ascent of the volcano Mount St Helens in the US and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, as well as trekking the Great Wall of China and in the Himalayas. Her adventures raised thousands of pounds for St Richard's Hospice and Cancer Research UK.