A MARLOW club which was devastated earlier this year by the loss of its celebrated president is regrouping and continuing its charitable work.

Marlow Inner Wheel Club raised over £600 when past president Carole Bailey took to the saddle for the ‘Ride for Ryder’ cycle event for the Sue Ryder charity.

The Marlow branch of the worldwide club, a large charitable organisation started by wives of Rotary members in 1924, was rocked by the death of its influential chairman Evelyne Philpot in March.

A team of 19 cyclists from the across the club’s district also took on the ten-mile course through the Chiltern Hills for the hospice charity.

And the club chose to donate the cash to the charity’s Nettlebed Hospice, where Mrs Philpot lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.

Club member Joan Clerehugh said: “Carole Bailey represented the Club and rode 10 miles round country roads in the Chilterns.

“With sponsorship and a donation from the Club’s Charity Fund she raised the wonderful sum of £600 for the Hospice.

“June is the Club’s AGM and we are finalising our Charity work for this year by giving donations to other local good causes. These include Age Concern with £400 towards a new Minibus.

“Since our President Evelyne Philpot passed away in March, our Vice President Angela Churchill has been ably chairing the Club and will be inducted as the new President at the July meeting.”

Mrs Philpot was a member of the Henley branch before joining Marlow’s Inner Wheel Club 18 months ago when the group closed.

The 69-year-old was given the prestigous Margarette Golding Award in January in recognition of her 30 years service to charity.

At this month’s AGM meeting, further donations will go to Marlow Bottom Scouts to help replace stolen equipment, the Deaf Children’s Society, Lacey Green Riding for the Disabled and Wycombe Women’s Aid.