A Keighley mum-of-three whose own mother was cared for in Manorlands raised more than £7,000 in just two months as a thank-you to the hospice.

Ann Holdsworth, who was diagnosed with lung cancer early last year, spent the final fortnight of her life at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder centre.

“She wanted to go into Manorlands because she knew what wonderful care they provide there,” her daughter, Rachel Sanderson, 44, from Utley, said.

“All the staff are fantastic – they can’t do enough for you.

“I would sometimes finish work at 11pm and go straight to the hospice, and no one would question what I was doing. I would simply be welcomed with open arms and be able to sit and spend time with my mum, which was really important to me.

“They make it so comfortable for you there, and comfort is very important to everyone when you find yourself in that sort of situation, especially for my mum – a lovely, genuine person, who always liked to be well dressed and presented. She loved shopping, and fashion was a real passion for her. She had more clothes than me and was much trendier!”

Ms Sanderson added: “But they didn’t just look after my mum, they looked after all of us. I’m sure my dad would have forgotten to eat if it wasn’t for the staff!

“And even after my mum had passed away, the care didn’t stop there. They were in touch to make sure we were OK.”

Ms Sanderson, a receptionist at the Old White Lion Hotel in Haworth, said her mum – who lived at Low Utley – had embarked on a course of chemo-therapy following her diagnosis, and the response was good.

“She was told that without chemotherapy she would have three months – or 12 months if she had it,” said Ms Sanderson.

“The chemo worked fantastically – mum didn’t lose her hair or anything. But with small cell lung cancer, there’s a slight chance it can go to the brain, so she was given full brain radiotherapy. That made her very ill.”

Ann died in Manorlands in August, aged 68.

“I wanted to do something for Manorlands in return for all they’d done, so took part in the Diamond Geezer challenge, when you’re given £60 and have to increase it by as much as possible,” added Ms Sanderson.

“The support was fantastic and we raised more than £7,000 through things such as cake bakes and donations.”

She has also just attended a launch of Manorlands as the charity of the year for Keighley’s Airedale Shopping Centre.

The centre will be staging various fundraising activities throughout the year, and helping the charity raise awareness of its care services, provided at the hospice and in the community.