A man has raised nearly £1,000 for Sam Beare Hospice after holding events in memory of his father.

Ian Vousden’s father Peter died in Spain on March 26 and his wish was for people to donate money to charity, rather than flowers at his funeral.

Mr Vousden, who is a member of the freemasonry community Noel Money Lodge, in Weybridge, gave the hospices a donation of more than £1,200 following his father’s funeral, as they were chosen as the lodge’s nominated charity.

Another £475 was raised at a Ladies Festival Dinner at the Hilton, Cobham, on May 11 and Mr Vousden recently presented two cheques worth £930 to Nigel Harding, hospice chief executive.

Mr Vousden said: “In memory of my father the lodge very kindly matched the amount raised through the raffle on the night, which is why I can present the two cheques totalling £930.”

The Noel Money Lodge has supported many local and major UK charities since its foundation in 1894. To find out more, email ian.vousden@ntlworld.com.