FUNDRAISERS smashed their target at a fun day to celebrate a little-known charity.

The event for Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity was organised by Shelley Robertson, the girlfriend of Weymouth Royal Marine James Wright, who was killed in action in Afghanistan five years ago.

At the time of his death, Shelley was 23 and 23 weeks pregnant, and she said that Scotty’s Little Soldiers have really been there for her and daughter Lily, now four.

Hundreds attended the fun day at Redlands Sports Hub earlier this month and Shelley said she was delighted to announce that the day had raised £4,521.80 – more than double the original target Shelley and Lily were aiming for.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports children who have lost a parent whilst serving in the Armed Forces and Shelley wanted to raise awareness of the ‘fantastic’ work the charity did.

She said: “We raised an incredible amount and it doubled my target amount, I am amazed.

“I am amazed by the generosity of everyone that donated towards the event and I can’t thank them enough as it made the event as successful as it was, with a constant queue at the raffle table.”

She especially thanked Michael Dench from Matrix Scaffolding for dedicating his time and donating the use of the stage and to New Image Tiles for sponsoring the event.

Shelley added: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone that turned up and supported on the day. It was a fantastic day and the weather was perfect.

“Seeing crowds turn up to an event that you have put so much effort into organising was fantastic and made all the effort and stress worthwhile.

“I have had so much good feedbackeveryone, and the fact that so many have asked for me to do it again is very satisfying and feels amazing.”

In fact, the event was so successful, that the venue has been booked for next year and everyone is asked to save the date of Saturday, July 15, 2017 for the next fun day.