RESIDENTS of a later living community, near Chester, have raised hundreds of pounds to help patients at a local hospice this Christmas.

Staff, residents and friends at Gifford Lea retirement village, in Tattenhall, raised £750 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, in Backford, near Chester, by holding a charity dinner.

The donation has now been presented to the hospice, which will use the money to fund physiotherapy sessions to help improve their patients’ quality of life.

Special guests at the dinner, held at Gifford Lea – a retirement community owned and operated by Inspired Villages – included Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Mark Williams, and the city’s Labour candidate for MP, Chris Matheson.

Entertainment was provided by Cheshire opera duo Belle Voci – finalists on ITV’s The Voice – and the guest speaker, former Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies.

James Cobb, director of Inspired Villages, said: “We’re delighted to have raised these vital funds for such an important local charity. The Hospice of the Good Shepherd is a fantastic facility, which provides outstanding care and helps so many families at a difficult time in their lives.

“At Gifford Lea it’s important for us to show our support for the wider community by helping causes that assist local people in their time of need – especially at Christmas.

“Thank you to everyone who supported the dinner, which was a wonderful event with fantastic food and entertainment.”

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides free specialist palliative and end-of-life care for patients, relatives and carers in the West Cheshire, Chester, Ellesmere Port and Deeside area.

Abi Smith, corporate and major donor manager for the charity, said: “Thank you to everyone at Gifford Lea for their support. Without people like them supporting the hospice, we wouldn’t be able to offer the care we provide for our patients and their families.”

The charity dinner, held in October, is just one of many events and initiatives organised by the team at Gifford Lea.