A group of friends are celebrating after reaching their fundraising target following 15 years of dedicated support for a cancer charity.

Ann Dent, Joy Tunmore, Janet Skidmore, Norma Howes, Kathleen Flowerday, and Ursula Jackson - also known as 'The Bunwell Six' have raised £100,000 for Big C.

The group started fundraising for Big C following the loss of Mrs Tunmore's husband and Ms Dent's brother to cancer.

Some of the fundraising ideas and events held by the group over the years include ploughman's lunches and floral demonstrations by Mrs Tunmore, and 'salmon and strawberry' evenings in Ms Dent's grain store.

Ms Dent said: 'When we first started raising money for Big C we were aiming for a few thousand pounds, but we received such fantastic support from our friends, family, and the local community that it encouraged us to continue.

'I don't think any of us ever considered we could reach £100,000.

'Unfortunately most people have been touched by cancer in some way, which makes a charity like Big C close to their hearts.

'Over the past 15 years several other family members of the group have had, or been lost to cancer, and two of the six of us have also suffered from breast cancer.

One of Ms Dent's favourite memories from her fundraising is when she was visited by Colin Alderson, who used to be the Queen's pastry chef.

He travelled from Harrogate in Yorkshire to Old Buckenham Village Hall where he was the guest at an 'upstairs/downstairs' themed event, and entertained the audience with tales of moving with and cooking for the Queen.

Ms Dent added: 'Now we have reached our target, I do feel proud.

'Although we have become known as 'The Bunwell Six', there is a group of about 12 of us that have our roles and make it happen. 'People's generosity has brought tears to my eyes many times, particularly in the past few months with their efforts to help us to reach the target.

Clive Evans, director of income generation and communications for Big C, said '£100,000 is a phenomenal figure to have raised and we are thrilled that Ann, Joy and the South Norfolk ladies have reached this milestone.

For more information about Big C click here.