A MEMORIAL event raised over £20,000 for St Michael's Hospice in memory of 19-year-old India Wilkinson.

India's grandfather Roger Young paid tribute to the care his granddaughter received at the Bartestree hospice.

He said: "Hospice staff did everything possible to enrich her life. She benefited so much from physiotherapy sessions with Siobhan MacQuillan who always listened to India and recognised she was an intelligent adult with a determination to stay independent for as long as possible."

Over 200 people, including India's friends and family, packed into the York Hall at Malvern St James Girls' School to celebrate India's life and raise money for the hospice which cared for India.

India's former Headmistress, Olivera Raraty said: "India has deeply touched the lives of our school's community, so there was a real desire to support St Michael's and help organise a memorial day for her."

A day of activities in memory of India included a memorial netball match, the unveiling of a painting dedicated to India and the screening of a film which featured India's friends lighting candles to commemorate what would have been India's 20th birthday in January.

Prints created by India, with help from from Ledbury Letterpress and Tilly's Press in Ledbury, were auctioned off at the event.

The five prints, each with illustrated quotes, sold for a total of £4850 in the auction hosted by TV personality Charlie Luxton.

India's mother, Zinnia Wilkinson, said: "The evening was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge everything the Hospice did for India, and continues to do for my family. I'd like to thank everyone involved for their generosity.

"The support from the communities of Malvern St James and St Michael's Hospice is what had helped keep me going during times when I didn't feel like keeping going."

Paddy Nugent, community fundraising manager at the hospice, added: "It is humbling to see the gratitude shown by all of India's friends and family. We would also like to give special thanks to Roger Young, Rebecca Jones, Sue Davies, Ali Haydn-Jones, Matthew Young and everyone at Malvern St James for giving their time and resources so generously."