The future of Marlborough’s much-loved OAPs’ Christmas lunch is safe thanks to a donation from the Hill family.

Organiser Nigel Kerton has been given a cheque for £1,758 after mourners were asked to make a donation during the funeral of Robert Hill, the former chairman of The Hills Group.

It was split evenly between the Christmas lunch and the Injured Jockey Fund.

Mr Kerton said: “We are over the moon with the generous donation and we are very grateful to Robert’s widow, Rosie.”