A dedicated group of volunteers have raised a quarter of a million pounds to help in the fight against cancer.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The 1940s themed afternoon tea at the Public Hall, held by the Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK. PHOTO: Nick ButcherThe 1940s themed afternoon tea at the Public Hall, held by the Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

The Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK formed 25 years ago and now hold around a dozen events each year to pull in the pounds.

And at their latest event - a 1940s themed afternoon tea held at the Public Hall last week - the committee announced the amazing news.

Treasurer Rosie Riches said: “It wasn’t until we saw the piece in the paper about the Halesworth Cancer Research group reaching their milestone that we wondered how much we had raised over the years.

“And when we checked it was £250,729 and that’s without the £20,075 we raised last year up until this April.

“We decided to celebrate it at all the events we do this year, so we can tell everyone who supports us.

“We are incredibly proud.”

Initially money raised by the group went towards cancer related projects or equipment, but for the past 15 or so years the money has gone to Cancer Research UK. Events held range from coffee mornings to fashion shows, fete stalls to breakfast mornings, and the group also helps at the Leman 4 Life fundraiser at the Sir John Leman High School in Beccles.

Mrs Riches said: “There is only a committee of seven of us but it is amazing what we can achieve as a team and we have lots of volunteers that we call on.

“Most of the people who help us have been touched by cancer either personally or through relatives and that gives them the incentive to raise money to eradicate it completely.”

The afternoon tea raised £500 for the cause and thanks go to all those who helped and supported it.