A DETERMINED Ipswich woman today told of her delight after raising more than £8,500 for two charities close to her heart.

A DETERMINED Ipswich woman today told of her delight after raising more than £8,500 for two charities close to her heart.

Claire Blake was inspired into action after her grandfather, Ray Pryke, died last year, spending his last days at St Elizabeth Hospice, and her mother was diagnosed with myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer.

Miss Blake, 26, of Winston Avenue, put on a week of fundraising activities, ending with a beach party.

She said: “Half the money will go to a tribute fund for my grandfather at St Elizabeth Hospice, and half to Myeloma UK.

“I decided at the beginning of this year I wanted to do something because of everything that had happened.

“I wanted it to be something all my family and friends could be there for because it was a personal thing for people who had been through the past year with us.

“So I made it into a fundraising week. We had street collections with five of us dressed as lifeguards, a cake bake sale, and we had a beach party because my grandfather was a big fan of going on holiday and loved the sun.”

People also took part in the Orwell Walk for the cause and held a beauty day.

Miss Blake, who works at Axa in Ipswich, said the events had raised more than £8,500 so far, with more money still coming in.

She added: “I was hoping to raise £5,000 so I've been blown away with how well it's gone. Everyone's enthusiasm and generosity has made it such a success.

“It has taken a lot of effort to organise but it's been worth it.”

To support Miss Blake visit www.justgiving.com/claireblake.

Have you raised money for a good cause? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.