A dedicated supporter of a Hitchin-based charity funding medical research which doesn’t use animals for testing has handed over another welcome chunk of cash.

The Portmill Lane-based Dr Hadwen Trust is the UK’s leading non-animal medical research charity, and over the years on St Albans church has contributed more than £20,000 to its coffers.

More than £1,000 was handed over by members of the city’s Unitarian community to the DHT’s Gerry Reilly by the Rev Feargus O’Connor, minister of St Albans Unitarian Fellowship.

Mr Reilly said: “He is one of our greatest supporters and has now raised over £20,000 in funds on behalf of the DHT. That is a staggering contribution.”

Mr O’Connor: “I believe passionately in the work of the trust and I am proud that, since becoming minister, the Unitarian community has joined the fundraising effort.”

He has also proposed a resolution to the annual Unitarian General Assembly calling on the fellowship and membership of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches across the UK to support the trust and other humane research charities.