ALMOST £2,500 was raised for County Gazette-backed cancer charity Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment last week.

Jane Fear, of Spaxton, collected £1,620 through her annual coffee evening in her garden for SURE, which buys equipment for the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

Her friends and family donated a further £65 in 5p coins; other 5p collections totalled £30 from Alcombe Methodist Church; £2 from Mr and Mrs Foxwell; £1.90 from Connie Morley; £63 from Joan Greedy and friends; £19.50 from Creech St Michael WI; £5 from Jacqui and Peter Curry; £20 left at the Beacon Centre from Clare Pile and family; £7.45 left at the Beacon Centre by Mr and Mrs Baker.

A further £354 in 5ps was collected via the Beacon Centre, as well as donations totalling £23.06.

Collection pots realised £41.03 at the Winchester Arms, Trull; £19.17 at Castle newsagents, Taunton; and £13.66 at Styles Ice Cream Parlour, Burnham-on-Sea.

Peter Lock donated £175, which is half the amount given to him following his retirement as a church warden at Holy Trinity Church, Ash Priors.

The week's total of £2,462.77 means £634,975.79 has been raised for SURE since it linked up with the Gazette.