A GROUP of philanthropic women have handed over cheques to four vital local charities after raising £2,000.

Furness Lions Ladies have over the years raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes through their various fundraising events.

Although the group is now considerably smaller than its peak when it boasted around 25 members the seven remaining women are as committed as ever to putting something back into society.

On Sunday the ladies presented £500 cheques to four charities - North West Blood Bikes, Ward 6 and Ward 7 at Furness General Hospital and the North West Air Ambulance.

Heather Jefferson, who has been a member of Furness Lions Ladies for an incredible 40 years, said the group had been delighted with the success of their fundraising.

"We don't do as much fundraising now but in the past we organised a lot of events from raffles to tombolas and dances," she said.

Although now in her late 70s, and other members in their 80s, Mrs Jefferson vowed to continue raising money for local charities for as long as possible.

"There are only seven of us now; we are getting older now but this work is really important to us and we're all really close having known each other and worked alongside each other for so long," she said.

"I joined when my husband joined Furness Lions; when a new member joins Furness Lions they would always ask the wives if they wanted to join Furness Lions Ladies."

The group aims to select a different local charity for each of its donations and this latest round of donations has a special meaning for the ladies.

Mrs Jefferson, a grandmother-of-four, explained: "One of our members is on the ward at the moment; and we all know people who have spent time on Ward 6 and Ward 7.

"We understand Ward 6 are going to use the money to buy a special chair for patients.

"We always make sure the money goes to a local good cause because we all want to give something back to the society where we live.

"What we do is really rewarding."