The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has presented one of its dedicated fundraisers a special 'Thank You' award after he raised more than £20,000 for cancer care services.

The hospital's management wanted to show their appreciation to Gavin English for his efforts, particularly as he raised the total within two years.

Since the 78-year-old lost his wife Frances to cancer in 2013, he has organised fundraisers to support others undergoing treatment.

Dorothy Hosein, the hospital's chief executive, said: 'He [Mr English] is a unique person and has raised such a large amount of money in such a short time and under difficult emotional circumstances.'

She presented Mr English, a great-grandfather, the 'Thank You' award earlier this week.

He started fundraising within months of becoming a widower; one of his late wife's wishes was for her clothes to be sold in aid of the Macmillan Care and Treatment Centre.

Since then, he has run supermarket collections, car boot sales and even wrote a book, 'The Last Waltz'.

Mr English, from Docking, near Fakenham, said: 'I appreciate the award and really didn't expect it - but that is not why I fundraise.'

Are you fundraising for a cause? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk