A charity has said an emotional farewell to its chairman after 20 years of tireless work.

Members and volunteers at Holmer Green Stroke Club said goodbye to Julia Mears, their chairman of five years, on July 26.

The hardworking volunteer is leaving the village to be closer to her family.

The charity’s president, Evelyn Neville, presented Mrs Mears with a bouquet of flowers and a gardening gift voucher in recognition of her work after the group enjoyed a fish and chips lunch at the Church Centre.

The club was founded in 1973 and was the first group to provide support for stroke survivors and their families.

They meet every two hours on a Tuesday and provide activities like quizzes, board games, cooking, flower planting and musical entertainment and speakers.

It has been a registered charity since 1995 and receives no NHS or council funding.

Mrs Mears has worked tirelessly over the years to come up with interesting challenges for the club members, creating cards to sell and making decorations for their Christmas bazaar, “all without a word of complaint.”

Barry Seymour, from the Holmer Green Stroke Club, said Mrs Mears always has a “smile and a positive approach.”

He said: “Her contribution to the work of the club has been massive and she will be sorely missed. The two hours spent every Tuesday at the club being just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the work she regularly undertakes for the benefit of the members and the continuance of the club.

“She is one of the unsung heroes of in the field of volunteers.”

The Holmer Green Stroke Club would welcome new volunteers to help out and new members to take part in their weekly activities. For more information, email Barry Seymour on bseymourco@btinternet.com or call 01494 715 310.