A MILFORD Haven couple has been recognised for decades of service to a national children’s charity.

Jim and Anne Hughes have been involved with Variety for 41 years, and every year take hundreds of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children to the Christmas pantomime at Swansea’s Grand Theatre.

They recently attended a star-studded bash at the Hilton in London, after being personally invited by the country’s chief barker Lawrence Davis.

During the event Jim and Anne rubbed shoulders with a host of famous faces, including impressionist John Culshaw, comedian and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, radio star Vanessa Feltz and Miss United Kingdom.

Entertainment was provided from the cast and musicians from the new London musical The Commitments.

A grand total of £35,000 was raised for the charity on the night, and a £25 million pound plan was announced to extend the Variety children’s hospital facility at Kings College.

Jim said: “We were delighted and honoured to have received the request to attend the Christmas event from the chief barker. But our main aim of being part of Variety is to work for children who have special needs.

“We took the children to see Peter Pan on Friday, December 13 and they loved it. The show was first class and very colourful. Its star Jimmy Osmond was on top form and I enjoyed speaking to him afterwards.”