A WORCESTER fundraising team that smashed their target are hoping to raise even more for a cancer charity next year.

The Worcester branch of Relay for Life — a national event which raises money for Cancer Research UK — spent several months hosting various events to raise money for the charity in the build up to the Relay which took place in September.

The branch set themselves the target of raising £28,000, but at their AGM held last week the team celebrated raising £30,549 and a cheque was presented to the charity.

Vicki Gaffey, marketing and entertainment manager for the branch, said she was "thrilled" with the amount.

She said: "People really worked hard to raise that money. We had about eight teams in the area which are made up of between eight to 15 people. People held stalls at events, held coffee mornings, made and sold jam, held pub quizzes and pamper evenings. This all built up to the big finale which took place in September, which was a 24-hour 'relay' where team members continuously took it in turns to walk around a track for a day.

"It was fantastic. The atmosphere at these events is wonderful and it gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. We are starting to plan for next year's event and hopefully we can raise even more money."

Next year's Relay will be held on September 12 to September 13 and Miss Gaffey said that more teams are wanted to sign up and get involved.

"People find that once they've done one fundraising event, they get the bug and want to do more," she said.

"We also invite cancer survivors along to the relay to officially open the first lap for us and we have live music and dance and lay on a buffet for them. Because that's what it's all about, supporting survivors and people living with cancer."

If you want to get involved, email Lezley Moran at relayworcester@gmail.com or call 07967 724292.

To find out more about the event visit relay.cancerresearchuk.org.