A DRINKS party in Crowcombe raised £4,185 for the Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) appeal to equip the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital.

Around 100 guests attended the event, organised by Christopher Staniland, while a number of people unable to attend sent donations.

Other donations for the County Gazette-backed charity included £40 from Ivor Roberts, of Bradford-on-Tone; £54.20 from Wellington School, Somerset Lodge, from an alms collection; and £500 from Parrett and Axe Royal Arch Masonic Chapter No 814.

Trevor Warner handed over £1.80 in 5p coins; there was £9.75 from the collection pot at the Sedgemoor Inn, Westonzoyland; £11.28 from the Taunton Vale Golf Club Ladies Christmas dinner collection; and an anonymous donation of £15.70 in 5ps.

A raffle at Higos Insurance Services, of Somerton, raised £500; there was £36.18 in a collection pot at G. W. Hurleys, of Burnham; A. J. Moore, of Cannington, and his family and friends donated £200; £194.89 was collected at the Beacon Centre, including £125.85 in 5ps; and £56.30 from Jean and John Hobbins.

This week’s total of £5,748.80 takes the amount raised since the Gazette linked up with SURE to £489,079.