CHARITY fundraiser Lily Watson has sent out a huge thank you to the Ilkley Gazette and our readers for helping her attend a top-notch event honouring elderly volunteers.

Generous readers donated more than £400 after the Gazette appealed for help in sending Miss Watson, 87, to Westminster to pick up an award at the UN International Year of Volunteers reception.

She travelled to London on July 17 with friend Eileen Mayson, who nominated her for the honour, and was met at the House of Commons by Ilkley MP Ann Cryer.

"I was delighted to be there and I was delighted to have my friend with me," said Miss Watson, of Parish Ghyll Road. "I felt honoured to have been chosen from this area to have this great honour bestowed upon me.

"The reception was very nice - there were canaps and lots of wine - it was very busy, very packed. I had a marvellous time."

Miss Watson, who has raised more than £20,000 for charity over the last 30 years, said she had been 'overwhelmed' by the generosity of Gazette readers.

"The money was a tremendous help. People seemed so pleased about the things that I have done. I have written to everybody who gave me a donation but some people didn't give an address. I would like to be to able thank them as well."

The Gazette kick-started the appeal two weeks ago with a £50 donation and we hoped to raise another £150. In fact, another £406 was raised, giving Miss Watson much more than she needed for her trip to London.

Typically, she said she would give any leftover cash to charity. But, as several donators had pointed out that the money was meant for her, she has now agreed to book another holiday.

"Much as I'd like to give it to charity people want me to have it," she said. "I'm doing plenty for charity - as much as I'm able. So I'm going up to Alnwick in October."