Dean Kronsbein’s passion for British engineering was the inspiration behind a very special event which has helped raise £35,508 for St Michael’s Hospice.

As members of the Bentley Drivers Club, Dean and his wife Sabine invited fellow members from across the UK to an event at Cubberley House near Ross-on-Wye.

Fifty guests also stayed on to enjoy a gala dinner, during which Dean and Sabine announced they would be donating all the income from ticket sales to St Michael’s Hospice.

Speaking to his guests, Dean said, ‘Giving comfort to people during the last days of their life is a very worthwhile cause, and as a resident of Herefordshire, I want to contribute to a very important local charity.’

Following Dean’s rousing speech, one of his guests stood up and said he would also like to raise additional funds. Others followed and the enthusiasm to make a difference spread through the room.

Later, Dean sent a video of his speech to a friend in Coburg in Germany who replied saying he wanted to support the good cause and sent another £10,000.

St Michael’s Director of Income Generation, Ruth Denison, said, ‘We can’t thank Dean enough for his generosity and commitment to St Michael’s. ‘It’s also heartwarming to see how much he has enjoyed making a real difference to families living with a terminal illness.’