Eighty reasons to help hospice

11:42am Wednesday 19th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

WHEN Guy Jefferson celebrated his 80th birthday recently he received no gifts - but all his friends and relations made generous donations to York's St Leonard's Hospice instead.

Guy and his wife, June, visited the hospice yesterday to hand over almost £1,100 to community fundraiser Donna Woodman.

It was the second time Guy and June have helped St Leonard's in this way - they also asked for donations instead of gifts for their golden wedding.

Almost 80 people attended Guy's birthday party at York's Ramada Fairfield Manor Hotel, where they were entertained by organist and singer Martin Hewitt, a friend of the Jeffersons.

June also arranged a surprise for Guy - a This Is Your Life-style presentation, telling the story of his 80 years.

June said: "We are very pleased to have been able to raise so much for the hospice. We have both had friends who have benefited from its care."

Donna Woodman said: 'It was really thoughtful of Guy and June to remember the work of St Leonard's in this very special way.

"Their friends and family have been very generous. It is a tribute to Guy and a lovely way of marking his birthday."