A CANCER charity ended 2017 with a flourish, with more than £2,500 donated in the final week of the year.

Donations to the County Gazette-backed Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) included £528 from Kingscliff Short Mat Bowling Club from several bowls events throughout the year.

Pat and David Thomas gave £200 in lieu of gifts from their recent wedding anniversary to support SURE, which buys equipment for the Beacon Centre, at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

There was also £400 from Debenhams, at Bedford House, Taunton, raised at its Christmas dinner dance, as well as £81.50 commission from the Book People.

Collection pots totalled £313.42 at Tesco Extra, Taunton, £52.50 from Tesco Express, North Petherton, and £37.11 at Tesco Express, Priorswood.

Collections of 5p coins included £12.50 from the Tuesday Badminton Club, Monkton Heathfield, £56.65 from Hazel Clist, £21 from Colin and Wendy Crawford, of Chitterwell, who also donated a further £50, £35 from Joanne, family and friends, and two donations of £11.40 and £4.

There was an anonymous donation of £2.70, £36 from the Monument Proshare Club, £77.25 from Puriton Bingo and £35 from the Friends at Holcombe Rogus.

Also presented to SURE was £100 from Hermes Parcelnet Ltd under its '25 Days of Giving' scheme, £140 from a quiz at the Flintlock Inn, Marsh, £25 from Helen Whitcombe, of Street, and £155 from Joanne McNulty from a quiz and raffle at The Gallery, Chard.

A further £142.09, mainly in 5ps, was donated via the Beacon Centre.

The weekly total of £2,515.72 means £739,837.52 has been donated to SURE since the charity linked up with the County Gazette.