A founder member of a West Cumbrian charity who has been at its helm for the last six years has announced she is retiring.

Linda Hewitt, 59, of Cockermouth, was a community nurse when Hospice at Home West Cumbria was founded 30 years ago.

Around six years ago she became chief executive at the charity and now she has announced Hospice is looking for a new boss.

Linda, who will be leaving the business in March, said: "Hospice has been part of my life and my family's life for thirty years. My daughter remembers coming to fundraising events with me as a little girl.

"Even though I haven't worked for Hospice for the full 30 years, I've always supported them."

Linda is married to James, 63, and is mother to Jo, 36, and Steven, 34.

In January she will become grandmother to her first grandson.

She said: "It wasn't my reason for retiring but it's definitely a bonus. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family, but also sewing and touring, I particularly want to visit the outer Hebrides."

During her career, Linda worked as a community nurse in Cockermouth and Maryport, she later became a registered general nurse at Cockermouth Community Hospital while doing shifts as a Hospice nurse.

Between 2003 and 2010 she held a joint post with the NHS and Hospice at Home West Cumbria as a Palliative Care Service Lead for West Cumbria And Clinical Services Manager. Meanwhile she completed an MA in hospice leadership at Lancaster University in 2010 and the following year she became clinical services manager for the charity.

Linda said: "I've always had an interest in palliative care. I feel very privileged to have been part of Hospice for 30 years and work with some amazing people.
"I'm so proud to be part of something that's so well-regarded and recognised in our community. I will miss the people, I've made so many friends.
"Even though I'm not caring for patients anymore, I still like to keep informed with what's happening and how we are supporting people. I will miss hearing what Hospice is doing on a day to day basis and feeling good about what we do."