FUNDRAISERS have "surpassed all expectations" by raising almost £5,000 for a good cause.

The Leven Valley support group, established alongside St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston, held its annual summer fair and car boot sale in order to raise much-needed funds for the centre.

Chairwoman of the group, Dorothy Crabtree said: "I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all our friends and volunteers for helping us make the day such a success once again and a big thank you to everyone for their continued support in helping raise funds to help the patients and their families in the hospice.

"Everyone was so generous - there are too many people to mention but I'm sure they all know who they are."

St Mary's Hospice offers care and support to people with a range of conditions as well as to patients with terminal illnesses.

Donations topped last year's efforts with an extra £300 raised.

Craft stalls, local produce and cakes all proved popular with customers.

Mrs Crabtree has been chairwoman of the support group for 5 years.

She said: "I think everyone has a connection to cancer - my brother had stomach cancer and my mum was cared for in a hospice.

"We have raised a magnificent amount of £4,800 and surpassed all expectations," she said.

The summer fair and boot sale has been running for more than 20 years with children's favourite, Fifi the flea, hopping in from Paris to make her 18th appearance at the event.

Mrs Crabtree spends months organising the fundraiser each year and was thrilled by the involvement from the community.

Newby Bridge Freemasons lodge even contacted their local boxing club who then donated a separate sum of £400 which allowed volunteers to buy large tables for the event, rather than borrow them.

A magician and a storyteller were on hand to dazzle the little ones and those brave enough to enter could go and check out Little Beasties' reptiles.

St John Ambulance had to pull out the event after its head office in Liverpool could not find enough volunteers to allocate.

However, the British Red Cross was able to step in at the last minute.

Organising next year's car boot is already on Mrs Crabtree's to do list.