A Whitehaven DJ has raised over £700 to help a Workington school build a sensory room.

Darran Cherry, or DJ Daz Cherry as he is known on the decks, has been DJing for 35 years and has been involved in a number of charity events.

However, more recently Darran has been tackling an issue closer to home and has been raising money for Westfield Nursery and Primary School, who need around £5,000 to install a sensory room, by hosting a charity livestream.

This room would benefit Darran's partner's non-verbal autistic grandchildren and alongside his partner's daughter, who has been selling Autism awareness wristbands, they have raised over £1,000.

He said: "On a personal note because two of my partner's grandchildren are non-verbal autistic and to see the struggles they go through day to day but constantly smile like all other kinds.

"You see them out playing and you would never know the struggles and the difficulties they go through but just to see the disco lights or something when it lights up and they touch something.

"I have got some little lasers in my house and I put them on and their faces light up.

"I have also got grandchildren of my own who I am lucky don't have any disabilities but their faces also light up when they see the lasers, so it is for all children but the benefit that the disabled children would get. I would be in tears.

To make the fundraising event happen, Darran called on the help of his fellow DJs, including Darren Jagger, Scott Kinsella, Stuart Wright, Papa Frost, Craig Frost, and Martin Phillips, with this collective raising over £700. 

However, despite the success of the event, Darran shared his concern about the fundraiser's momentum dying out and called on the local community to get involved and help raise the funds necessary to bring the sensory room to life at Westfield. 

He said: "I am pleased but I am also worried and concerned because I have done my bit and I am like, what else is going to happen now?

"I want to try and think about something else to do because I want to make sure that they reach the money that they need."

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser - you can HERE, or if you would like to get in touch with Darran you can via his Facebook page or on 07825 679440.