A couple has donated about £3m to help fund the building of a new hospice in Linton.

Edwina and David Bicker left 75% of their estate to Heart of Kent Hospice in their wills, according to the charity.

Their friend Sandra Still, who was a joint executor, said the couple would have been “over the moon” about the impact of their legacy gift.

A spokesperson for the hospice said: “This transformational gift will become the lead donation for the future hospice at Greensand Place. It’s the springboard for the fundraising campaign to come.”

Mrs Still said she and her husband Roger “hit it off immediately” with the Bickers, after meeting at The Willington Players amateur dramatics group in 1980.

“We holidayed together at least once a year and always spent Christmas and New Year together,” she said.

“None of us had children or close families.

“People would say we were just like The Good Life. David and Edwina were Jerry and Margot, and Roger and I were Tom and Barbara.

“We showed them how to have fun. Edwina was an elegant and imposing figure, but I taught her how to eat chips out of the wrapper!”

Mrs Bicker, who was the first female president of the Association of District Judges, had a “deep attachment” to the hospice’s work, was one of its first trustees and became a volunteer after retiring, according to her friend.

When she became ill in 2017, she told her husband what she wanted him to do with their estate when he died.

“The legacy was Edwina’s idea and David reflected her wishes in his will. I don’t think they knew how wealthy they were,” said Mrs Still.

“My husband Roger died in March 2020 and because we were in lockdown, David became my bubble. It felt cathartic to talk with him about our shared memories.

“Last year David was typically matter-of-fact about his own cancer diagnosis and asked me to arrange his funeral.

“It’s fitting that Edwina was involved in the development of the current hospice, and now she will play a significant part in the new one, too.”

A hospice spokesperson said: “We thank Sandra for taking the time to share her story of friendship, and for executing the wishes of Edwina and David.”