A DEDICATED community worker marked his retirement as president of his neighbourhood group with characteristic generosity by using the occasion to benefit a good cause.

A DEDICATED community worker marked his retirement as president of his neighbourhood group with characteristic generosity by using the occasion to benefit a good cause.

Roy Greenacre, who stood down as president and as a trustee of Sidegate Lane Neighbourhood Group, Ipswich, told management committee members he did not want a presentation in his honour, and asked instead for a fund-raising charity event to be organised.

The committee rose to the challenge and arranged for organist, David Last, to give a free recital in the Charles Trafford Hall. The sell-out concert raised £823 for St. Elizabeth's Hospice.

A keen amateur organist himself, Mr Greenacre took great pleasure in the performance of Mr Last, a close family friend.

Mr Greenacre, who will be 76 in January, said: "It was a most wonderful evening. I've always been interested in organ music and I was most pleased when they organised the concert and got David in."

He was also delighted to see so much money raised for the hospice, where many of the patients have cancer, as he himself has been diagnosed with the disease.

"That's one of the things I'm fighting against myself at the moment," he added.

The cash raised from concert tickets was boosted by a prize draw, and Mr Greenacre said he was very pleased by the response to the committee's appeals for donations of prizes – an impressive 40 items were given away to lucky winners.

"I'd like to thank people for their support," he said, adding: "I have enjoyed every moment of my time with the neighbourhood group."

Mr Greenacre's association with the group began in 1963, since when, according to secretary, Arthur Tydeman, he has "done just about everything for the smooth running of the club."