MEMBERS of a building society have donated enough to pay for home care for more than 30 people at Longfield Hospice in Minchinhampton.

Three branches of Coventry Building Society located in Stonehouse, Dursley and Nailsworth presented the hospice with a cheque for £53,000 which means that since 2014 the society has donated over £180,000 to the charity.

Ali Russel the interim chief executive at Longfield spoke of how the bond between the hospice and building society has developed.

"Our partnership with the Coventry Building Society was originally born from an individual who banked with them," said Ms Russel.

"One day he talked to staff about Longfield and how it had supported him and his wife through her life-limiting illness which kick-started the partnership."

The branch staff at the society also provide vital volunteer support to Longfield at fundraising events both in day therapy sessions and by helping to maintain Longfield's gardens and grounds in Minchinhampton.

"These three branches are extremely important not only to our charity, but also because they have become a vital link between the community and the services we deliver," added Ms Russel.

In the future, Coventry Building Society and its branches seek to prolong their support of Longfield and the community with the help of their members.