FUNDRAISING efforts for Taunton-based charity Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment were boosted over the festive period, raising £2,497.60 over the past couple of weeks.

The charity, backed by the County Gazette helps fund equipment for the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

Among the donations were £50 from the ex country dancers of Taunton; £8.42 from Sheena Bown-Porter and her Slimming World group; £15 from Rene and Pete Porter Smith from the sale of specialist magazines; and £27 from the Friends at Holcombe Rogus.

Collection pots totalled £12.42 at Coffee Corner Ltd, of Burnham-on-Sea; £23 at Tesco Express, Taunton; £21.50 at Tesco Express, North Petherton; £19 from Wemdon Stores and PO Collections of 5p coins included £35 from Smeatharpe WI; an anonymous donation of £2; £55 from Simon and Kim Scotting, family, friends and colleagues of Ilminster; and £20 from the ladies at the Badminton Club, at West Monkton Village Hall.

Further 5p collections included an anonymous donation of £4.65; £5,14 mostly in 5ps from Jean Wensley; £30.26 mostly in 5ps from Charlie Barker and family and friends; £45 from the Ivy House Park Social Club, Henlade; £15 from Suzanne Biggs; £133.50 from the Beacon Centre; £7.85 from Margaret Jones, of Tintinhull; £7 from EY; £20 from Melodie; £1.15 from Chris; £19.55 from Creech St Michael WI; and £5.60 from C. Slocombe.

There was £75 from the residents of Avoncourt from their Christmas raffle; £50 from the Chard District Guides at a carol singing concert at Tesco, in Chard; and £1,000 from Rockwell Green whist drives, including £20 from one of the players.

Roy's copper collection amounted to £12; there was £14 from the Parmin Way Residents Committee and £85.50 commission from the Book People to Debenhams Ltd, Bedford House, Taunton.

And Carol and Tony Hughes handed over £25; Linda Slade, of Redhill, Langport, gave £250; a collection at a pre-Christmas dinner in memory of Barbara Cullimore totalled £125; there was £100 from Sylvia Woodgate, of Milverton; and £178.06 from the Beacon Centre was mostly in 5ps.

The total raised since SURE linked up with the County Gazette now stands at £655,155.47.