FOOTBALLS and cricket shirts signed by stars of the sports world and thousands of pounds worth of prizes donated by East Lancashire firms have helped swell a charity fund by more than £3,500 in one night.

And now organiser Victoria Asten, of Free Lane, Helmshore, is hoping to go way past her £5,000 target by completing the 26-mile New York Marathon later this year.

Victoria, 29, organised the event at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, to help raise money for the Get Kids Going appeal.

She said: "The charity aims to buy specialised wheelchairs and trikes for British disabled children so they can get involved in sports like basketball and even skiing.

"I got involved with it when I tried to enter the London Marathon last year. I was refused admission but sent a leaflet about running for a charity and after I'd leafed through it I decided this was the best one."

And the event on Saturday night was a huge success.

Victoria went on: "We have raised £3,500 on the night through sponsorship and selling tables and tickets to local firms and people, as well as some really fantastic prizes which were worth more than £2,500.

"We auctioned footballs signed by both Burnley and Blackburn football clubs, and cricket shirts signed by both the England and Lancashire teams, while raffle prizes included flights to Paris, a £200 antique chair, a microwave and TV.

"I was originally hoping to raise £5,000 altogether but I think we're already past that now."

Victoria will fly to America to take part in the marathon on November 7.

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