A 10-year-old girl from Royston has donated all the money she made selling bracelets to the hospice that cared for her dying grandfather.

Royston Crow: George was a regular gym goer until he became suddenly illGeorge was a regular gym goer until he became suddenly ill (Image: Archant)

Ella Carolan gave the £157 raised from her handmade loom bands to the Garden House Hospice, which looked after George Robinson leading up to his death in October.

The 83-year-old had been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer linked to expousre to asbestos, two years earlier.

He spent the last days of his life being cared for at the hospice, which serves Royston, the rest of North Herts and Stevenage.

Ella’s mother Andrea said: “Ella idolised her grandad, they had a special bond with her being the youngest grandchild.

“He would mess around and play tricks on her. George was such a character, everyone in Royston knew him.

Speaking of the care her dad received, she said: “The hospice did a wonderful job looking after him in his last few days. Without these hospices, people wouldn’t be able to get the comfort and care they need in their final hours.

“We feel very proud of Ella, and she feels happy knowing that the money has gone to a good cause.”

George was born in Liverpool but came to Royston at the age of 18. He worked as a maintenance man for Johnson Matthey, where his friends nicknamed him ‘Scouse’.

Andrea said: “Because he kept so fit, we never thought he suffered from asbestos-related cancer – but he had this cough.

“When he used to go for chemotherapy they only thought he was 60 as he had a fantastic body.

“Even in his 80s he would go to the leisure centre all the time and tell people how to use the equipment. He had these 18 inch arms.”

George started losing weight about eight months ago and slowly got weaker and weaker.

Andrea said: “He didn’t like anybody seeing him like that, having been such a fit man.”

She added: “We are so proud of him and loved him very much. He will be missed enormously.”

The money was handed over as part of Garden House’s annual Lights of Life ceremony when a Christmas tree covered with lights dedicated to the memory of lost loved ones was switched on.