HUNDREDS of people helped raise more than £1,000 for a Bury-based family charity and a Syria relief fund.

A group of local parents hosted an autumn fair at St Margaret’s Church hall in Prestwich on Saturday, November 12, where they sold toys, cakes and raffle tickets.

The fair helped raise £860 for Manchester-based charity Syria Relief and Home-Start Bury, with an additional £200 of donations on the fundraiser's Just Giving page.

Kate Brooke's, scheme manager at Home-Start Bury said: “We are delighted to be one of the chosen charities for this year's autumn fair, it's so rewarding to be working directly with parents and the community of Prestwich.

“Any funds we receive will be spent directly on the families we support, in particular our planned summer trip for 2017.

“For some children, who we support, don’t get a summer holiday, so a day by the seaside or a trip to the Zoo is a real treat.”

Families were also able to have a go on a tombola and enjoyed craft activities.

Sam Priestley, one of the organisers of the fundraiser said: “We are overwhelmed with all the support from the local community - A big thank you goes to all the people who donated toys, made cakes, businesses who donated to the raffle and to all the volunteers who made the fundraiser a success.

“All the money raised will make a big difference to parents and children in need at home and away.”

A Syria Relief spokesman said: “It was a great pleasure that Syria Relief have worked with Prestwich mums again this year.

“The contribution last year went a long way to keeping refugee children warm and safe over the last Christmas period.

“The money raised from the fundraiser will help us to support vulnerable children throughout this freezing festive time of year.”

Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers to offer emotional and practical support to families with issues including mental health and post-natal illness, poverty and domestic abuse.