Eunice raised £8k for charity

Staffordshire's great Elvis fan, Eunice Fitch raised more than £8,000 for charity, Cancer Research UK has revealed.

The 65-year-old, who died in April, was renowned for raising thousands for the charity with her extravagant Christmas lights every year at her home in Danby Drive, Prospect Village, Cannock. She also organised charity concerts.

Eunice was behind events at the Prince of Wales Theatre, as well as times where Elvis impersonator Mark Clay would sing the King's top tunes on her front lawn.

Since 2001, Mrs Fitch raised £8,358.37 for Cancer Research UK. Charity bosses have thanked her and her family for all of their efforts over the years.

Area volunteer manager, Jayne Sullivan said: "Eunice raised a huge amount of money for Cancer Research UK over the years. We are extremely grateful to both her and her family for their support.

"All the money raised will help to fund Cancer Research UK's 4,250 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK who are committed to understanding, preventing and treating cancer."

The mother-of-four died following complications in hospital while recovering from a bowel operation. She had suffered from poor health over recent years but had continued her fundraising efforts right to the end.

Her devotion to the King of Rock 'n' Roll was such that her home is a shrine, with an extensive collection of memorabilia including statues and a gold bust of 'the King' on a plinth in the garden.

Her family have said they will continue her fundraising, with the Prince of Wales Theatre already booked for April 26 2009 to commemorate the first anniversary of her death.