A PASSIONATE fundraiser has received a prestigious award for her work with a children's charity.

Patricia Hodgson OBE has been recognised by the NSPCC for her talks about child safety in schools around the North East and raising more than £22,000 in 13 years for the charity.

Patricia, 75, takes pride in volunteering with the NSPCC’s Schools Service and Childline and also holds regular garden events at her home in Stocksfield as part of the National Garden Scheme each year, donating proceeds from cream teas and refreshments to the NSPCC.

Hexham Courant: Pat's garden open daysPat's garden open days (Image: Patricia Hodgson)

"I am surprised to receive the award," Patricia said, "the NSPCC is an amazing charity and it is great to be a part of the team to help spread awareness and concern about children's safety while also giving them a voice.

"I have always raised for the NSPCC but did not take it as seriously as I do now until I retired from being a civil servant.

"Now I do everything from garden tours, stand-up comedy nights, garden talks - just about anything to raise money for the charity.

"My garden tours are always popular - especially on our open days. You never know if we would get two or 200 people coming through the gates.

"But as we are getting older, we are now opting to only doing tours by booking an appointment for groups of five or more. There is an option of a garden tour and the entertainment package which my husband calls the 'full monty'.

"I didn't have a nice childhood and I hope children do not have to go through similar experiences that I did. But I can make a difference with what I do have now.

" I didn't have a garden until I moved from my home in Scotland but when I got one, I wanted to make use of it and raise money from it.

"We even had Alan Titchmarsh to film in it. It is still on ITV X now. Season 12 episode 1."

If you would like to book a tour or a garden talk please call 07765862374