A fundraising trip to Germany and its Christmas markets will be held in memory of a much-loved North East passenger who died.

The annual venture, which has been running for 23 years, will this year be dedicated to the memory of Maria Smith, of Washington, who passed away in February after a short illness.

Sylvia Stoneham, the organiser, said that Maria had been an integral part of the event since 2011.

She said: “Maria first joined the trip to Germany way back in 2011, when I worked at St Benedict’s Hospice as a fundraiser.

“Maria volunteered to help serve refreshments on the coach and to help with the raffles and tombolas in the hotel.

“We became very close friends and she literally became my side-kick every year on all the trips, right up until our recent visit to the Mosel, last November.

“Maria became ill as we arrived at the hotel and unfortunately she died just 3 months later, aged just 61. It was such a shock to everyone, and so sad.”

She added: “We have regular passengers from across Wearside, Durham, Wearside and much further afield.

“When they heard about Maria, who’d come to know and love, for her sense of humour, caring attitude and utter kindness, they were all very upset.

“So we decided to add St. Benedict’s Hospice to the charity we’d already chosen, by coincidence, another cancer charity, Rise Above Cancer.”

Maria’s daughter, Louise Smith, said: “My mam looked forward to the Germany trips every year; she would start making a shopping list of the things she wanted to buy as soon as she returned home.

“She loved going to all the different markets and meeting new people on the trip. The trips to Germany were one of the highlights of her year.

“The family are so pleased that this year’s trip will be in mam’s memory.”

The week-long trip, titled ‘Germany and The Christmas Markets – Rivers, Valleys, and Mountains’, will take place from November 26 to December 2.

It will include luxury coach travel, an overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, four nights dinner, bed, and breakfast in a family-run hotel, and excursions to eight Christmas markets, a wine tasting experience, and a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet in Aachen.

All profits from this trip, which costs £550, will be donated to the two chosen charities.

Additional funds will be raised through quizzes, raffles, and tombolas.

Sylvia said: “Everything listed is included in the price, so it’s really excellent value for money.

“We always have a great time on our annual visits to Germany. Some passengers have been with me on many visits.

“To date, we’ve raised well over £120,000 for local, regional and national charities.

“There are only around 10 places left, so it looks like we’ll have another fantastic trip.”

Ellie Fincham, community fundraising officer for St Benedict’s Hospice, expressed her gratitude for the support from the trip and said: “I feel honoured and privileged to remember Maria by supporting the Hospice I worked at when we first met, and that supported her during her illness.

“This year’s trip will be very special, remembering a very special friend.”

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Ashleigh Banks, from Rise Above Cancer, added: “Rise Above Cancer, a fund within STS Charity (the charity of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust) are grateful to be chosen and supported by Sylvia, and all attending the ‘Germany and the Christmas Markets’ event.

“Funds raised will help us to continue supporting patients affected by cancer – and their families – in Sunderland and South Tyneside.”

Those interested in joining the trip can contact Sylvia on 07544 567 161 or via email at sylvia.stoneham@hotmail.co.uk.