EXETER Leukaemia Fund has appointed Pat Aldridge as a trustee of the charity with which she has been actively involved for the past 16 years.

Pat, who lives in Exeter is a former patient.

In the 1990's, with her husband Francis, Pat started the Exeter Support Group of ELF and they have both been instrumental in organising many fund-raising events for the charity, including the ELF Golf Day which has raised more than £68,000 in the last 12 years.

She is a member of the charity's executive committee.

"It is both an honour and a privilege to be asked to serve as a trustee," she said, adding: "I personally owe a debt of gratitude to all the staff at the Haematology Centre, who showed great care during challenging times."

Di Passey, chairman of the trustees said that Pat's long association with the charity and a distinguished career in the media makes her a valuable asset to the board of trustees"

Mrs Aldridge was an executive for the Express and Echo, Exeter and the Torquay Herald.