A PENSIONER making birdhouses and planters to raise money for the NHS is to take a rest after raising a further £1,000.

Derrick King has been making items out of wood and selling them, with all proceeds going to the League of Friends of Witney Community Hospital.

Mr King said: “Following the success of raising £1,000 for the NHS during the lockdown, I decided, in view of the short time taken, to go for another thousand even though I knew it would be harder.

See also: Plans for town centre reopening in place by end of week

“Since I started doing this seven weeks ago, it’s been a constant battle to keep up with the demand, as before the paint is dry on some items it is sold and it’s time to catch up again.

“It is now my intention to close down after this weekend and take a long, long rest.”

Last month, 90-year-old Mr King reached his initial £1,000 target, before running out of wood.

Since replenishing his stocks, Mr King has again smashed his target.

Oxford Mail:

No stranger to making products out of wood, Mr King has been keeping himself busy with his hobby since he retired thirty years ago.

He builds bird tables at the High Street Methodist church in Witney throughout the year.

The money raised from the church sales usually go to a charity working with children in Calcutta, India.