A WOMAN celebrated her 50th birthday by raising £900 for St Luke's Hospice in memory of a friend.

Jane Robinson, of Teviot Avenue, Aveley, organised a raffle at her birthday party for Christine Hern, 49, who lost her 14-month battle with cancer in February.

Dozens of prizes were donated by friends and businesses.

The top prizes included a night for two with breakfast and an evening meal at a the Thurrock Hotel, and four tickets to see comedian Jimmy Jones at the Circus Tavern.

Mrs Robinson was touched by everyone's generosity, with some people donating money without even taking a raffle ticket.

She also wants to thank her father, William Malpass, 78, who donated £100 from his pension which he sent over from his home in Cobe, Ireland.

She said: "I just want to thank everyone who donated prizes and brought tickets.

"It would mean so much to Christine, it really would."