A woman from Bovey Tracey who has fundraised tirelessly for Macmillan Cancer Support for more than seven years has been presented with the Macmillan Devon County Chairman's Volunteer of the Year award.
Kelly Hayman-Bruce, who is head of Bovey and district Macmillan fundraising, was presented with the award at Westpoint, Exeter, during a break from collecting funds at the latest Holiday on Ice show on Thursday. 'I am delighted to be given the award,' she said.
'I am the figurehead for the group but I would have not won if it wasn't for the support of all the other volunteers who help raise money for this charity. 'I believe in the work this charity does and I will continue to support it as long as I have breath in my body.'
Ms Hayman-Bruce organises at least one event a week for Macmillan and, hearing stories from people who have lost loved ones to cancer, feels driven to raise more cash. 'A little girl came up to one of my volunteers last year at the Holiday On Ice show and gave her 50p.
'The girl said she wanted to give the money to the angels as her mum had died of cancer six weeks before. It makes you think you can't give up fundraising and you have to keep going,' she said. During the five days collecting at Holiday On Ice, Ms Hayman-Bruce and her team collected nearly £7,000 for the charity, which will add the £70,000 plus her branch has raised since she joined. 'We raised £6,937 and are thrilled with the amount of money people gave,' she said.