Childhood friends Catherine Brown and Jade Deverill have raised £1,500 for Cancer Research UK through a cake sale in Heddington Village Hall.

The event on February 22 was the pair’s first fundraiser and they are planning several other events this year after seeing the effect of cancer first-hand in their own families.

Miss Brown’s father Peter is recovering after being diagnosed with bladder cancer last December and Miss Deverill lost her mother Jen to cancer last September.

Visitors to the sale were able to buy handmade jewellery and bags, as well as wooden plaques and cards from Phoenix Cards.

There was nail painting and a children’s colouring contest, face painting and temporary tattoos.

Miss Brown, 25, from Heddington, said: “The sale completely smashed the target of £500 we expected. We were both completely overwhelmed by it.

“We had a lot of friends and family there so they helped out on the day. We had great support and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone.

“We have said we’re going to do something in a couple of months, we will have a little bit of a brainstorm.

“We intend to set our target higher for next time and we hope we can continue raising money on our justgiving page for the rest of the year.”

To donate, visit www.just giving.com/batchesagainst cancer