A CHARITABLE Stourbridge family have raised more than £2,700 for Marie Curie in memory of their mother.

Darren Hull lost his mum Susan earlier this year and was indebted to the help and support he and his family were given by the charity.

So, with the help of friends and family he set about raising as much money as he could for the cause.

Darren said: “Marie Curie have their annual great tea parties so we decided to hold one and raise money for them.

“They were very good in helping us, offering guidance and advice. This is our way of giving something back to them for all they did for all of us.

“They do some excellent work and it is not until you go through something as horrible as we did until you realise just how important charities like Marie Curie are.”

The family held their tea party, which also included a range of the real ales, craft keg beers, ciders and handmade cobs, at the Green Duck Beer Co. in Rufford Road.

As well as holding a fundraising raffle and tombola, Darren’s friend Lee Stevens shaved his beard ‘live’ and by cut throat razor, with the party and donations given at Susan’s funeral raising a large grand total of £2741.57.

Darren added: “It was a great afternoon, which not just raised a staggering amount of money for such a worthwhile cause but it was also a great way to remember mum.”