JANET Meredith, 79, has stepped down as president of the League of Friends of Wellington Hospital – after holding the post for 22 years.

Her association with the League goes back virtually to its formation nearly 50 years ago and she has been a very active and valuable member/trustee.

Fellow trustees presented her with a floral arrangement and garden gift voucher during her last trustees’ meeting.

Mary Hutchings, who with her husband Roy has been a trustee for a number of years, thanked her and paid tribute to her for all her hard work and dedication, as did current chairman Hilda Thornton.

Mrs Meredith received several awards over the years for her work. She was involved in campaigning – unsuccessfully – to keep Wellington Maternity Home open and – successfully – in keeping Wellington Cottage Hospital – as it was then called – open when it was threatened with closure. Her husband Glyn has supported her and has himself served on the patient forum. They are both well known in Wellington.

One of Mrs Meredith’s proudest moments was when 40 years’ dedicated service to the League of Friends was recognised with the opening of a new quiet room at the hospital, named after her, in 2008.

She also received a special award to mark 35 years of voluntary support from the health service – the first time such an award had been made to someone other than an NHS employee.

n The League of Friends has raised more than half a million pounds since its formation to support the work of the hospital and to enhance the experience of patients, both staying in the hospital and those visiting as out-patients. All members are volunteers and receive no remuneration.