The chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council for the past year, Coun John Handley, raised £12,119.33 for his chosen charity during his term in office.

Coun Handley had set himself a £5,000 target for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Elaine Hopkins, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Coun John Handley and his lady, Margaret, have been excellent ambassadors for the hospice from day one.

“John and Margaret do not miss an opportunity to promote the hospice in all that they do.”

Coun Handley said: “Nottinghamshire Hospice does incredible things. It does a phenomenal amount of work and it is vital that they and other hospices raise funds.

“It is difficult because they are voluntary organisations and they have to find funding through charitable work — but money is not a bottomless pit.

“I have been delighted and proud of everyone who has helped me to fundraise for Nottinghamshire Hospice and raise its profile.”

Meeting patients and volunteers was high on the chairman’s agenda over the past year.

He has been to numerous events at the hospice’s headquarters on Woodborough Road, Nottingham, and visited 11 hospice shops across the county.

Other key highlights included a civic service at Southwell Minster, two concerts at Brinsley Parish Hall, a hog roast at Beauvale Priory and an event at Welbeck Abbey to promote artisan food and drink producers.

The couple worked with staff to organise a Christmas raffle at County Hall, promoting the hospice and its work in each council department.

And they have been to Veolia, the county council’s waste management contractor, which managed a recycling fundraising initiative.

Margaret has knitted and sold Christmas stockings and Easter chicks, while the couple encouraged County Hall staff to donate Easter eggs for an Easter egg hunt.

Elaine added: “The money raised will make a real difference to our patients and their families.

“John and Margaret have both been teachers and wanted some of the money to be spent on education, which has allowed us to train 12 new counsellors to work in our counselling and bereavement service.”