MORETONHAMPSTEAD League of Friends (LOF) has wound up its activities after 46 years with donations to local health and social care organisations totalling a quarter of a million pounds.

The organisation has given £100,000 to the newly certified NEDCare (North East Darmoor Care).

The remainder is being split between the health centres at Chagford, Cheriton Bishop and Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor Air Ambulance and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which is to provide a service at the health centres.

The LOF is disbanding after almost half a decade of good works in support of Moretonhampstead Hospital, which no longer has any in-patient beds.

During this time LOF, funded by thousands of local donations and bequests, has purchased equipment for and financed care services at the hospital. The organisation has also made a significant financial contribution to the refurbishment of the hospital in the late 1990s.

Announcing the move, LOF chairman Philip Fowler said: ‘It was a very sad day six years ago when the NHS removed the “in-patient bed status” of the hospital which had been the focus of LOF. Since then we have continued to support health related activities within the hospital’s catchment area.

‘However, the trustees now feel it is time to pass the responsibility for funding decisions to those organisations actually working in the field. I, and all the trustees, wish to thank everyone who has supported LOF over the years.’