A GROUP of women who get together at a craft club have raised hundreds of pounds for the breast screening unit at West Cumberland Hospital.

Members of the Craft and Chatter group which meets weekly at Hensingham Rugby League Club, held a fundraising event last month to mark Breast Cancer Awarness Month.

Margarest Burns, 73, one of the event organisers, had suggested holding a pink raffle but the event ‘snowballed’ into a coffee morning and raffle with a tombola, craft stalls and bingo.

The event raised £950 and the money was handed over to staff on the unit this week.

Mrs Burns, of Balmoroal Road, Whitehaven, has battled breast cancer three times and received treatment on the unit.

She said: “The staff were absolutely brilliant. Each time they were great. They were amazed by how much we were giving them. They were absolutely bowled over.

“Every member contributed on the day to help everything go smoothly.”

Mrs Burns has held a number of fundriasers for the unit over the years but says this is the most she has raised in one go.

She added: “What amazed me is there are so many people struggling yet they came out to support us and to give generously.”