STAFF and nurses at a hospice at home charity have surprised a pair of serial fundraisers for their incredible decade of support.

Liss Forest couple Gill and Bob Elmer are living proof that charity starts at home.

The pair have raised well over £30,000 for the Rosemary Foundation from a decade of fundraising events, stalls, fetes and car boot sales.

The tables turned last Thursday when the “Forest Fundraisers” were presented with flowers and an engraved vase in recognition of their support.

The pair had a hint something was up when they were called into the charity’s Petersfield office, but weren’t expecting the whole team to personally thank the Pine Walk pair.

“I don’t really know where to start as the team have known you for so long,” said Caroline Hinder, registered manager.

“You’ve done so much for our charity in Liss and Petersfield raising the profile of the Rosemary Foundation and raising money. We can’t put a figure on how much but it’s well over £30,000.”

The pair caught the fundraising bug in 2014 through the charity’s annual Christmas dinner and dance, with the latest taking place in early December at Bordon Masonic Hall.

Bob said: “It’s such a good charity and it’s a little charity, you feel you know everyone.”

Gill added: “We started in 2014 and we’ll keep going.

“We do car boot sales, little fetes and everywhere we go we’ll put up a stall and raise money.”

There was some sadness at the event as Ann Pinhey was also going to receive an award.

The 90-year-old, who died a fortnight ago, raised a hefty five-figure sum for the charity through her fundraising concerts in St Peter’s.

Staff have also thanked people who took part in the recent fashion show and Jon Walker Memorial Walk as the combined total from the two events is close to £4,000.