FRIENDS of a much-missed community organiser raised thousands of pounds for the hospice that cared for her.

Prospect Hospice looked after Julie Allen before she died in March 2018. To pay tribute to the kind-hearted 59-year-old's legacy and thank the hospice for their help during a difficult time, her friends organised a tea party which raised a whopping £4,054.35

Thames Water match-funded £2,000 on top of the day's donations of £2,054.35 to reach this impressive final amount. Staff member Amanda Martin helped organise the event and appealed to her bosses for the match funding.

Friend and event co-organiser Julie Hennessy said: "What an amazing amount to raise in Julie's memory in one day. She was just a beautiful person inside and out.

"I want to thank everyone who gave up their time to organise this event, including Karen Jankinson, Sue Gravel, Lucy Sturgess, and Helen Griffiths, and those generous people who helped make it such a huge success, it really means a lot.

"Special thanks go to Amanda who helped us double our fundraising total."

Julie Allen died just a few days before a vintage fashion show and tea party in Blunsdon that she had helped to put together with Julie Hennessy and pals took place. The event's success exceeded all expectations and raised £2,500 for Brighter Futures.

The next event in Julie Hennessy's calendar is Pre-loved for Prospect on March 28 at Blunsdon Village Hall from 11am till 2pm. Quality secondhand clothes and accessories will be sold for £5 each to raise even more money for Prospect Hospice.