The Oxford Mail has happily recorded the presentation of cash and other donations to local hospitals over the years.

But few supporters could have equalled the efforts of Mary Haines who had what was described as a “fundraising phobia”.

She is pictured above handing over a cheque for £1,025 to John Hunt, house governor at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, in 1982.

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She had raised the money for the hospital’s minibus appeal by picking fruit, cooking it, pouring it into 1,000 pots and jars and then selling it.

That wasn’t all that Mrs Haines, of Denchworth, near Wantage, did for hospitals and other good causes – she admitted she could never be idle.

When she was not picking fruit and making jam, she was organising with the help of friends other fundraising events, such as jumble sales, bazaars and raffles.

Mr Hunt said after receiving the cheque: “It is a marvellous gift particularly as we have raised only a few hundred pounds so far for the minibus.

“We are very grateful to Mrs Haines and all who have helped her.”

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Mrs Haines said: “I’ve been fundraising for years and every year, I like to aim for some target or other. The trouble is I’m at work all day and when I get home, I can’t be idle.”

The hospital was opened as the Churchill Hospital by the Duchess of Kent on January 27, 1942 after use by the United States Army.

When the American authorities left, Oxford City Council took over the buildings, prompted by local hospitals through the Oxford and District Joint Hospitals Board. The Committee of the Radcliffe Infirmary undertook responsibility for the hospital, with some financial support from Oxford city and county councils.

Patients began to arrive in January 1946.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.