THE League of Friends at Ripley Hospital are smiling as bright as the star on the top of their Christmas tree following a hugely successful festive birthday bash.
To coincide with the league's 50th birthday, the league asked the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire to flick the switch on the hospital's tree. Each bulb on the tree had been sponsored by local families for sums of up to £20, raising over £1,000 for the league.
Entertainment at the event on Friday evening was provided by Ripley Morris Men, who helped to boost the evening's fundraising total to over £1,500.
The celebrations continued with a Christmas fair on Saturday morning and a thanksgiving service at All Saint's Church Ripley on Sunday.
League of Friends chairman Geoff Bonsall said: "Everything went really well, the weather was beautiful and the Duchess loved the Hammersmith guiser performed by the morris men.
"It was a wonderful Christmas event and a really good way to coincide with the league's 50th birthday celebrations."
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