A small group of volunteers who have spent more than five decades raising money for a cancer charity are celebrating after smashing the £1m mark.

The Halesworth Cancer Research UK (CRUK) committee was set up in the early 1960s to raise funds to help in the fight against the disease.

Now, more than 50 years on, the group are still dedicating their time to the cause having raised £1.3m and their efforts were officially recognised yesterday at a special thank you event organised by the charity. The volunteers include treasurer Michael Bryenton, currently the longest-serving member of the committee with 53 years of support, and joint chairman Eileen Lowe, who has given 52 years of service.

Fellow joint chairman Nina Canham of Halesworth, said: 'People are very proud to have reached this total – we've passed the £1m and moved beyond it now.

'Everyone is just amazed – when you think we are just a small market town in a rural area, the local support has been fantastic.

'People will always come out and support us and we thank them for that. It has been very worthwhile and hopefully we've made a difference.'

The group currently has 18 members and a large group of volunteers to call on, but with some of the members now aged in their 80s, Mrs Canham is hoping that some younger people will come on board.

'In the early days we were making a few hundred pounds here and there but now we're making a couple of thousand with each event,' she said.

'We run fairs, sales, a sponsored walk, street collection, a Big Breakfast event and sell knitting and crafts, jams and chutneys throughout the year – we just jog along, really.

'Some of our supporters are now in their 70s and 80s, but we have all sorts – a cancer nurse, farmers' wives, busy working people and pensioners – anyone who wants to help.'

She added that since most people had been touched by cancer in their lives, Cancer Research UK is seen as a worthwhile cause and people are more than willing to respond.

Mr Bryenton is one of the original fundraisers for the group and said one of his most memorable times was when he was nominated by the charity to attend the Royal Garden Party and was presented to the Queen.

Nichola Whymark, CRUK local fundraising manager, said: 'The Halesworth committee are a true inspiration to everyone at Cancer Research UK.

'They have worked tirelessly for more than half a century raising funds via their wide variety of events. To reach the £1 million milestone is a massive achievement. We are all very proud of them.

'We are so grateful to Michael, Eileen, Nina and the many volunteers past and present who've raised an incredible amount of money for us – without them our vital research wouldn't happen.'

Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its research and relies on donations.

According to the charity, cancer survival rates in the UK have doubled in the past 40 years and now two in four people survive cancer.

The charities aim is to accelerate progress so that three quarters of people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.

Anyone interested in joining the Halesworth committee can call Mrs Canham on 01986 873005.

For more information about CRUK or to support the charity, call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.

•Are you raising money for a good cause? Email lynn.crombie@archant.co.uk or call 01502 712060.