THE man in charge of the hospice which provides care for people in Bexley and Greenwich with life threatening illnesses, has been given one of the Rotary Club’s highest awards.

Jim Bennett, chief executive of Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice, was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by Eltham Phoenix Rotary Club at a special event at a Sidcup restaurant.

Mr Bennett said: “It is a great honour to be recognised in particular for the contribution I have been able to give to the community, via the work of the hospice.”

The award was created by Rotary International in 1957, 10 years after the death of its founder Paul Harris, to recognise outstanding service to the community.

The hospice, which celebrates its 15th birthday this year, is based in Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood, and has a 19-bed in-patient unit, as well as offering services such as a day care centre, support and outreach workers and complementary therapies.