STALWART fund-raiser Stella Gale has often tried to retire from helping Britain’s war heroes but, at the age of 90, it seems resistance really is futile.

Despite several ann-ouncements that she was hanging up her collection tin for good – one of the last being in 2006 – she just couldn’t resist raising more cash as she celebrated her birthday with family and friends.

Well-wishers joining the Weobley resident donated £200 to Help for Heroes at Stella’s request.

Over the years, Stella has generated a staggering £26,000 for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association (BLESMA) and various other causes.

The nonagenarian, whose entrance was upstaged by her poodle Rachel wearing a birthday balloon on her tail, said: “My thanks go to everyone who came and made my party a happy occasion.”

It marked decades of goodwill from Ms Gale who, with brother Jim, 86, arranged fetes and jumble sales for about 20 years.

The pair, who both served during the war, started their campaign after reading about BLESMA in one of Jim’s Army books and raised £100 at their first sale.

But after discovering amputees previously had to pay thousands for artificial limbs, they went on to raise thousands themselves – and show no signs of slowing yet.

“Over the years, we have got to know many of the lads who have lost limbs and now young lads are coming back from Iraq with terrible injuries, so we arranged another jumble sale,” said Ms Gale The latest fund-raiser was held at the village hall, Hopelands, where another £424 was raised.

Ms Gale said there were plenty of helpers from all over the Midlands to thank over the years. “I could not have done this without our friends,” she said.