SHOPPERS helped raise bags of cash for charity at a special event held to celebrate 50 years of a local fundraising group.
The Grimsby and District branch of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research held its popular shopping extravaganza at Market Rasen Racecourse on Wednesday evening and Thursday.
Hundreds of shoppers flocked to peruse more than 50 stalls selling everything from fine foods and clothing, to jewellery, homewares and toys.
Organisers are hoping the event, which was also a celebration of the group's 50th anniversary, will have raised more than the £16,000 collected last year.
Chairwoman Paula Turnbull said: "We are delighted with the turnout this year. Hopefully we will have topped the 800 people we had last year.
"We had many of the founder members of the group attend and it was fantastic to see past and present members.
"The money we raise locally is used to fund research, focusing on finding causes, improving diagnosis and treatments, and running groundbreaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients.
"Sadly, everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and we are all passionate about raising as much money as possible to make sure this life-saving research continues."
Among the traders at the event was Tracey Cox, from The Little Chocolatier, Louth. She said: "This is our first time at this event and it's been fantastic. There's such a great range of stalls that there's something to interest everybody.
"The response to our chocolates has been really good and we've been selling products for Halloween and Christmas.
"We regularly support the NSPCC and Louth's Lady Taverners but we try and help out other good causes too."
Paul Watson, from Belleau Smokery, near Alford, was selling a variety of products made from trout.
He said: "We always try to support charity events and we've attended the shopping extravaganza for the last couple of years. It's a good way for people to try some new products."
As reported, the shopping extravaganza was launched at RAF Binbrook in 1988 and relocated to the racecourse more then 20 years ago. It is one of four key fundraising events the group holds each year, including a shopping event, a bikeathon and a golf day. In the last 50 years the group has raised more than £850,000 for research into leukaemia and lymphoma – and hopes to top £1-million in the next decade.
For more on the Grimsby and District Branch of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, call Paula on 07786 022110, Sue on 07775 664447 or visit www.facebook.com/GrimsbyLRF
