A GOURMET garden party had the sweet taste of success after raising thousands of pounds to help cancer sufferers.

Colin and Sue Bennett staged the party at their home in Lexden Road, Colchester.

Among the 100 guests were several friends from the Rotary Club of Colchester Forum, of which Colin is a member.

The delicious date raised a total of £2,330 for the Cancer Centre Campaign to create a new cancer centre at Colchester General Hospital.

Mr Bennet said: “We are so pleased to be able to help this worthwhile cause in such an enjoyable way."

The cancer centre also is one of the fundraising projects of Tony Dutch, who is president of the Rotary Club of Colchester Forum.

To boost the total raised on the evening, he joined Mrs Bennet in a dip in their natural pool which raised a further £300.

The Cancer Centre Campaign, which is supported by the Gazette, aims to raise £4.5million to bring all cancer services – including clinical and support services – together in a new centre which would be built on top of the new radiotherapy centre.

To donate, text GAZE11 £10 to 70070 (or chose a different amount).

Cheques can be made payable to CoHoC Cancer Centre Campaign and sent to Colchester Hospitals Charity, Villa 10, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL.

For more information, go to cohoc.org.uk or read more stories here