FRIENDS and family of Meltham woman Maxine Moulson have raised £4,000 in her memory.

Maxine, 39, died in January after a five-year battle against breast cancer.

She left behind her partner, Roger Darwin, and sons Jack, 10, and Robert, seven.

Mr Darwin, Maxine's sister, Pauline Howard, and her mother, Barbara Swaine, began holding tribute events in May, with a dinner party at Durker Roods Hotel in Meltham. It doubled as a fundraiser.

Word travelled and other relatives and friends began holding events.

A cabaret concert was held at Marsden Parochial Hall in June, featuring dancers from a school run at Marsden by Bernadette Heys, Maxine's cousin.

The father of one of Maxine's childhood friends, Beverley, bass/baritone singer Norman Mellor, also performed, as did the singing trio Reflections - Richard Cook, Diane Robinson and Gerry Wheatcroft.

In just three months £4,000 was raised. The cash has been given to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's Green Lea Oncology Unit, to pay for a pressure relief bed.

Mrs Howard said: "Everyone who knew Maxine related her to fun and laughter. We thought it would be nice to raise some cash for the ward that had been so kind to Maxine over the years."