A BASINGSTOKE hospice received a double helping of donations as members of the angling community and a festive fundraiser handed over more than £8,000.

The Basingstoke Railway Club reeled in an impressive £7,000 at its annual fishing fundraiser as members of Camrose Angling Club, Adventure Angling Club, Stacey’s Match Group and South Reading Fishing Club dug deep for St Michael’s Hospice.

Sixty-two fishing enthusiasts descended upon Stacey’s Fishing Club, in Tadley, to take part in a session of angling, before enjoying a barbecue and raffle. Along with Basingstoke Railway Club trustee Davide Edwards, Keith Brown, of Brackley Way, Basingstoke, handed over a cheque of £1,500 raised from his exploits last Christmas in decorating his house for the enjoyment of passers-by.

Each year Mr Brown dolls up his house in festive lights but last year he was left “devastated” after the charity box he left out for donations was stolen.

Despite the frustrations of the stolen box, the community rallied behind Mr Brown by helping him raise his “best ever haul of donations” for the charity.

Mr Brown said: “I was deeply upset that all the efforts from people in raising money for the hospice had been dashed after the charity box was stolen last year.

“But I was absolutely blown away and over the moon when we raised £1,500 after people heard it had been stolen.

“It was devastating that the money was stolen, but they’re not going to win and I will be decorating the house again this year to raise money again.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated last year, the money will make a real difference.”

Mr Brown told The Gazette he will be raising funds for St Michael’s Hospice, an organisation that helps anyone faced with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers, again this year.

He has begun arranging the lights and is hoping to switch them on on December 1.