By Leicester Mercury | Posted 29 September, 2015
"I've had a wonderful life," said 99-year-old Rosemary Handley MBE.
Although she is approaching her century, Rosemary was still raising money for LOROS hospice up until two years ago.
She was a dedicated volunteer fundraiser for more than 30 years, an achievement that led to Rosemary being awarded an MBE.
"I must have raised thousands and thousands for them," she said.
"And all because of a collection tin I decided to put in my shop back in 1980." Rosemary owned the village shop in Queniborough. Every year, she would have a collection tin on the counter for a different charity.
In 1980, a nurse who came in to the shop, mentioned LOROS, which at that time was unbuilt. This prompted Rosemary to choose the hospice as her charity for that year.
"And that is how it started," she said.
"Both my parents had died of cancer and at the time, there was no sign of a hospice. I wanted to help.
"I held my first garden party on June 11, 1980 and it was such a success – we raised an awful lot of money."
Rosemary formed a LOROS support group in Queniborough and she and four others began raising money.
"One day, we held a coffee morning, then a luncheon and then a tea in the evening," she said, as she recalled the numerous events they began to organise. "We must have been mad.
"But people in the village started to support us, too. If somebody was having a wedding or an event, they would ask if we wanted them to keep the marquee up for our fundraising.
"Everyone was so lovely. Whenever we asked for a donation or a prize, nobody ever said no to us." Once a year, Rosemary would hold attic sales, where 10 people would rent a stall from her for £10 and sell their unwanted items.
"People would be queuing up for my attic sales for an hour," said Rosemary, who now lives in a care home in Thurnby. "We raised no end of money and I loved every minute of it."
Among other things, Rosemary kept a stall outside of her shop, with donated items for customers to buy in aid of LOROS. She also ran numerous cake stalls at the LOROS fairs.
Rosemary was able to see how much her fundraising efforts meant when building work on the hospice began.
"I saw the first brick being laid," she said. "Since then, LOROS has just grown and grown."
In 2004, Rosemary received a letter telling her she was to be awarded an MBE.
"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I was so happy."
In October 2004, she went to Buckingham Palace to receive her award from the Queen.
Her health forced Rosemary to stop end her 33-year fundraising career two years ago.
"I used to tell people I would carry on fundraising until I couldn't and now I can't," she said."I loved every minute of it."
Inspired by Rosemary's story? Why don't you fundraise for LOROS yourself?
Help the hospice turn 30 this month by raising money and getting involved with its 30 for 30 campaign. Just visit www.loros.co.uk/support-us/30-for-30/
