MORE than £1,000 has been handed over to a Dudley hospital's cancer ward in memory of a much-loved British Legion fundraiser.

A cheque for £1,006 was presented to the Georgina Unit at Russells Hall Hospital in memory of Quarry Bank Royal British Legion member Gloria Donovan who lost her battle with cancer in December, aged 71.

The money, collected at her funeral at Gornal Wood Crematorium, was handed over by Gloria's sister Edna Drake to consultant oncologist Dr Rozenn Allerton.

Edna, from Dudley, said her sister would have been "totally amazed" at how much money was donated and she added: "It was nice that so much money was raised on the day. People were standing outside at the funeral; there were so many people. Gloria was so loved."

She said a further £400, donated in cheques at the funeral, was also handed over to Cancer Research in memory of Gloria, of Jason Road, Stourbridge, who had herself raised funds for Cancer Research and Russells Hall's cancer ward.

Remembered at a memorial service at Christ Church, Quarry Bank, in March, Gloria had been a popular member of Quarry Bank RBL. She regularly organised events and trips as the branch's events organiser - and she worked tirelessly to promote the legion's annual Poppy Appeal.

In fact, such was her dedication to the cause - she even turned up to the Remembrance Day parade last November when she was feeling unwell, just weeks before she died.

A few years ago, Gloria - a grandmother of 11 - also started an initiative selling St George's Day roses each April to help boost the branch's Poppy Appeal total.

The roses were sold at Asda Brierley Hill and Sainsbury's at Merry Hill this year and raised a total of £682 for the Poppy Appeal.

A St George's Day fun day held at the Black Horse Pub in Delph Road, Brierley Hill, also raised a further £147 for the appeal.