A GROUP of whist rive enthusiasts in Rockwell Green have raised £1,000 for charity mostly through their meetings - but also from a collection of 5p coins totalling £20 and £15 from a cake auction.

The donation was among £1,749.09 given last week to Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE), which buys equipment for the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

There was also £66.13 from Sarah Miller from the sale of Easter crafts and £250 from Eileen and David Lloyd in memory of their son Simon.

A collection tin at Tesco Express, in North Petherton, contained £46.50, while there was £114 from Wellington Aqua Group from its Christmas raffle, on top of £115.10 in 5ps and £65 from donated items sold at auction.

Other 5p collections were £5.50 from Keith Bawler, an anonymous donation of £14.15, £5 from Jacqui and Peter Curry, £19.80 from Georgina Marshall, £14 in 5ps from Creech St Michael WI and £33.90 from the Beacon Centre.

The weekly means £864,481.66 has been raised for SURE since it linked up with the County Gazette.