A FUND-RAISING garden party went better than expected for the Pershore Arthritis Research Campaign when it received almost £3,000 in donations in one day.

The charity held a garden party at Upper Brookend Court in Kempsey and raised £500 with the entrance fees and stalls.

On the day John Curtis, from Cropthorne, handed over a cheque for £1,000 raised by completing the Three Peaks Challenge - climbing and travelling between Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scarfell Pike in 24 hours.

Sylvia Cale also donated a cheque for £200 through fund-raising and Neil Harris from Gloucester pledged £1,230 and counting for the money he raised running the London marathon.

Pershore ARC's publicity secretary Helen Fowler thanked all the people for their donations and the Sylvanus-Davis family for the use of the garden for the party.

"They are all absolutely brilliant," said Mrs Fowler.

"Pershore ARC is feeling very grateful and we would like to express our thanks to all the people who helped."