Thanks a million for super fundraiser

He's raised million of pounds for charity, but now Black Country philanthropist Geoff Hill has announced his retirement from organising major money-spinning events.

Mr Hill, who owns the Geoff Hill Electrical Superstore, in Amblecote High Street, made the shock announcement at the end of his latest fundraising cabaret evening.

Mr Hill, who is now 81, said he felt the time was right for him to stand down from staging large-scale events which take weeks to organise.

Over the years he has staged annual open garden events at his home off Lawnswood Road, in Wordsley, pig roasts, big band evenings and raffles among many others.

He will continue to run his own Geoff Hill Charitable Trust, which raises thousands for good causes each year, and serve as a director on Age Concern Stourbridge and Dudley Hope Trust.

He said last week's cabaret night had been a success raising more than £5,000 for good causes in the area to share among them including Mary Stevens Hospice, Age Concern, Dudley Hope and Action Heart.

"I think my announcement at the cabaret evening came as a bit of a surprise to some but I feel the time has come to stand down from organising events," he said.

"I am 81 now and you just cannot go on forever. I have organised the larger events for more than 40 years which is quite an achievement and the support I have always received has been tremendous. There comes a time when you have to stand down.

"My charity work will continue. I will still be running my own Charitable Trust which takes a lot of work and will continue working with Age Concern and Dudley Hope."

Mr Hill first started fundraising 40 years ago when he helped to buy a minibus for the Brunswick House care home, in Cannock, where his daughter Louise lives.

He also helped set up Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Hospice by raising funds.

Mr Hill set up the Geoff Hill Charitable Trust in 1997 with 10 per cent of the annual profits going into the fund.

Mr Hill said the most moving campaign had been to help one of his employees, 18-year-old Robert Parsons, who was struck down with meningitis. To save his life, both legs and forearms had to be amputated.

Mr Hill Set up a fund to help raise £50,000 needed to buy the teenager bionic arms and legs. It proved so successful more than £100,000 was raised in just £100 days.

"It is certainly the most moving fundraising scheme I was involved with. People were very generous and the support for Robert was tremendous."