The chief executive of one of the largest charities in Furness is to retire later this year.

Val Stangoe has been the CEO at St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston for 11 years but decided over the festive break that it was time for her to step down.

She broke the news to staff this week, describing how she was more than ready for a 'well-earned rest'.

Val added: "It will be a sad day for me when I retire because I’m leaving behind a fantastic organisation, which it has been my great privilege to lead.

"We have such a wonderful team of hard-working, dedicated professionals, and we’re supported so brilliantly by our local community - whoever comes in next will be very fortunate."

The Westmorland Gazette: Val said that it was time for her to get a 'well-earned rest'Val said that it was time for her to get a 'well-earned rest' (Image: St Mary's Hospice)

Val expertly led the hospice through the Covid-19 Pandemic when patient care became impossibly difficult and fundraising dried up 'virtually overnight'.

“They were very challenging times, but our staff, who are amazing, really rose to the challenge," she said.

"In the end, I was very proud that we were able to come out of the other side having followed the rules, kept staff and patients safe and worked on ways to generate income that meant we were still a viable business."

The Westmorland Gazette: Val has always gone above and beyond for the hospice - including shaving her hair to raise funds back in 2020Val has always gone above and beyond for the hospice - including shaving her hair to raise funds back in 2020 (Image: St Mary's Hospice)

In recent years, personal heartache has shaped new projects that the hospice has spearheaded including a dementia service after Val lost her father to the condition.

As well as leading St Mary’s, Val has held a number of additional positions, including being the North West representative on the Hospice UK Advisory Committee and the chair of the new Barrow and Furness Third Sector Health Forum.

The recruitment process will now start to fill Val's shoes with the hospice describing it as an 'unenviable position'.

Chair of Trustees Professor Andrew Wren said: "We will all miss her but we’re really fortunate that we’re in a strong position as a charity, so whoever comes into the post will be starting from a good place.

"And we’ll have Val around for a good few months to come, ensuring that standards are maintained and things continue running smoothly."