A charity hammer throw competition in Carlisle raised more than triple its fundraising target for a special cause.

The Lesley Little Hammer Throw competition was in memory of Lesley, wife of Cumbria School of Hammer coach John Little.

After her passing earlier this year, the competition was launched to raise money for the LIVErNORTH charity.

A target of £100 was set through donations from competitors.

But in the end £331 was raised in Lesley’s memory, while it is now planned to make the competition at the Sheepmount an annual event.

“To me the results were secondary but well done to the winners, the youngsters who threw personal bests and all other competitors who contributed to another lovely day of sport in Carlisle,” said John Little.

“My thanks to Paul and Simon who did much of the organisation, to Dave for the use of the EDM equipment, and all the officials and helpers.

“We asked for a £5 donation from each competitor in the hope of raising over £100 for LIVErNORTH; thanks to your generosity £331 was collected today with some more to come in.

“Since Lesley passed away approx. £1,500 has been raised for LIVErNORTH, The Children’s Hospice [Jigsaw] and the Sands Methodist Church at Appleby.

“The plan is to make today’s event an annual competition with next year’s planned for September 2024.”

The competition involved age groups from under-15 to senior, with male and female athletes travelling from across northern England and Scotland to compete.

Trophies were sponsored by the GMB Union branches at Sellafield and Pladis in Carlisle.

Lesley passed away in February aged 71, having been married to John for more than 45 years.

She regularly travelled with John and their son David to support their sporting interests, helped in the running of the Border Harriers track and field team and was well known as someone who welcomed and encouraged young Cumbrian athletes.

Among those to pay tribute to Lesley was Cumbrian Olympics runner Tom Farrell, who said: "From the youngest memories I have of red athletics tracks, Lesley features in almost all of them.

"These memories span from times when I was with my parents watching them compete through to myself competing for the club, Lesley was always an integral part of those meets.

"Whether she was there helping the team in many ways or purely there as support for John and the Border Harriers Team, she never missed a meeting, rain or shine.

"She will be a big miss and forever remembered."

LIVErNORTH is a national liver patient support group based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The volunteer-run charity provides free services to liver patients, their carers and families.

It has been running since 1994 and has funded research and support to the value of £1.3m.