A FUNDRAISER marking the first anniversary of the murder of a Bolton-born teenager raised more than £1,000 for charity.

The family of Sasha Marsden, who was murdered in Blackpool on January 31 last year, hosted the event at Rumworth Hall on January 26.

About 100 guests, including Sasha’s parents Jane and Gary Marsden and friends from Blackpool, supported the day.

William and Anthea Wilding, who run Rumworth Hall, provided complimentary food and made a special gesture — offering to double the money raised.

It is now one year on since Sasha, aged 16, was brutally killed by 23-year-old David Minto after he lured her to the hotel he owned.

Minto was jailed for a minimum of 35 years after he was found guilty of Sasha’s murder in July.

The money raised will go to the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) centre in Preston which has already been the beneficiary of charity events held in Sasha’s honour.

Her aunt Dawn Lowe, who organised the day, said: “It went really, really well.

“It is fabulous that Bill and Anthea offered to double the money, especially as they had provided all the acts.

“It was a really nice day, for the kids and all the family.

“It was intended as a celebration of Sasha’s life and it was a fitting one.

“We had so many people get involved it was quite touching.”

The day ran from 1pm to 6pm, with live music, a buffet meal and a bingo game included. Because of wet weather, plans for a release of balloons in Sasha’s honour and a bouncy castle to entertain the children had to be cancelled.

The four-figure sum donated to the SAFE centre follows the £2,000 raised by Sasha’s Bolton-based relatives from a rounders tournament and darts match.

The SAFE centre provides forensic examinations, counselling and comprehensive support services for anyone who has a complaint of rape or sexual assault.

Sasha had used the service before her death.