VOLUNTEERS at Royal Hampshire County Hospital have raised £1,000 for the British Red Cross.

A 12-strong trolley shop team tours the wards twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays and donated their takings to help the charity’s work in Hampshire.

They are continuing a service started 60 years ago by a Kings Worthy woman who wanted to raise funds for the charity and the hospital itself.

Volunteer Jean Lee said: “It’s not all about selling of course, it’s stopping to chat for a few moments with patients who may not be getting any visitors, or listening to the lonely, the distressed, or raising a laugh. “It also helps people to keep their independence by buying what they want and not having to depend on relatives or friends bringing in their requirements a couple of days later.”

The trolley team also recently donated £1,000 to the hospital to help purchase equipment for the ear, nose and throat department in the Outpatients unit.