Veteran charity collector Nancy Vlasto is a familiar face in Kingston.

She regularly tours the town dressed up in a pantomime horse outfit and calls herself Blossom collecting donations for good causes.

In the run up to Christmas Miss Vlasto, who lives in Surbiton, collected £1,000 for Kingston Hospital's £3.5million cancer unit appeal as well as raising funds for two other charities.

Appeal manager Barry Couling paid tribute to Miss Vlasto's tireless charity work and said she felt her contribution was minor compared to the generosity of the Kingston shoppers who have given so generously to Blossom for the last 20 years.

He said: "Nancy first came to see me in August 2001 shortly after the launch of the appeal and told me although she was committed to other charities for 2001 she would be there for us in 2002 and expected to raise at least £1,000.

"She did exactly what she promised and I hope that I might persuade her to help us again this year."

January 30, 2003 10:00