FORMER National Health Service staff continue to underline their support for the system by raising much needed funds for Birmingham cancer patients.

The retired employees raised a total of £2,400 which they presented to University Hospitals Birmingham Charity representative Cathryn Worth.

The ex NHS employees are members of the Bromsgrove and Redditch NHS Retirement Fellowship who meet on a fortnightly basis at Catshill Methodist Church.

Although the fellowship is primarily a social club for retired NHS staff, they raise funds by running raffles as part of their meetings and support a variety of charities.

Some of the members are also involved with the Upper GI Cancer Support Group, whose combined efforts helped raise the money, which will be used to support vital work done by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Cathryn Worth said: “ It’s thanks to the support of people and groups like these that University Hospitals Birmingham Charity are able to support patients in areas over and above NHS funding.

“This can include anything from research, cutting edge equipment, improving facilities or items for a ward to make patients stay more comfortable.

“It's a testament to all those who once worked for the NHS, that they continue to support its work in this way”.