A CHILDREN’S cancer charity started by a woman of 98 who is still closely involved in it has raised £12,000 for a hospital ward.

The Marion Evered Trust, based in and around Nether Stowey, has had another bumper year of fundraising and recently made its donation to Oak Children’s Ward at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Members of the charity presented a cheque to Dr Linda Whiteford, on behalf of the ward, who said the funding would go towards a play area refurbishment as well as a ventilator and a machine to help locate veins that are difficult to see.

The money was raised by events held throughout the year, from a cream tea and open garden to a live music evening and duck race with barbecue.

The trust was started 44 years ago by Nether Stowey resident Marion Evered, who is still closely involved with the charity, along with her descendants, their families, friends and supporters.

The charity was started after the death of Marion’s granddaughter Tracy, aged five, from leukaemia - she had spent time in the children’s cancer ward receiving chemotherapy and the family vowed to raise funds to help young children and their families going through similar treatment.

“The trust would like to thank all those who helped and supported them at various fund raising events throughout the year,” a spokesman for the trust said.

Details about the trust and its events can be found on Facebook.