It all started with a simple idea to make a few cakes and chutney for charity.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: David Brown with his late wife Pat.David Brown with his late wife Pat. (Image: Archant)

But neither David or Pat Brown imagined that the small venture at their home in Burgh St Peter would see them collect £53,000 for Help for Heroes.

Last Friday the founders of the armed forces charity expressed their gratitude by presenting Mr Brown with a prestigious award for all the couple’s hard work.

Mr Brown dedicated the Extraordinary Ongoing Support for Help for Heroes award to his late wife, who died suddenly in March after a short illness and never got to see them reach their goal of £50,000.

Now her husband has vowed to carry on and hit the £100,000 milestone in her memory.

The Help for Heroes awards took place at Tedworth House, which is a recovery centre run by the charity in Wiltshire.

They were presented by the charity’s founders Emma and Bryn Parry.

Mr Brown and his daughter Sally Williams were treated to a showcase of the charity’s operations, a three course dinner and the award ceremony, where each of the recipients were praised by a Help For Heroes ambassador. He was nominated by Gemma Angel and the donations team.

He said: “I only thought I’d been shortlisted and I didn’t realise I’d actually got an award until I got there. It was a fantastic day, I met some truly amazing people - people in receipt of help from Help for Heroes, volunteers and Lord Dannatt, ex head of the army.

“Alot of people came and spoke to me and shook my hand and thanked me for carrying on because I must admit I didn’t know if I was going to when we lost Pat.

“I was so proud, there was picture of Pat and I up on the screen and it was emotional. Pat wouldn’t have gone, she would have waited at home for me to get on the phone and then we would have sat down when I got back and I would have told her all about it. She would have been so proud though and totally gobsmacked.

“It all started with Pat suggesting we make a few cakes and I’ll continue on making a few cakes.”

Mr Brown is currently dipping into his pension to afford the ingredients to make the cakes and chutney. If any businesses or members of the public would like to contribute they can contact him on 01502 677225 or leave a donation addressed to Mr Brown in an envelope in the Beccles and Bungay Journal office.

Mr Brown’s next stall is in Exchange Square in Beccles next Saturday, October 29, from 8am.