A club that raises hundreds of pounds for charity has presented the money collected this year and started fundraising again for a new cause.

Neil Cree and Julie Pennells, committee members of RHP Sports and Social Club in Newark, presented a cheque for £2,057 to Jane Ward, the administrator at the Children's Bereavement Centre based in the town.

Gallery1

The money was raised with donations from club members who took part in a project last Christmas to write names in memory of loved ones on angels hung on a tree in the Elm Avenue club.

A total of 120 angels were put on the tree. Once it was taken down some people opted to take their angels home while the remainder were buried near the clubhouse.

Money was also raised with an all-day Soul music sell-out event attended by 200 people, organised by Neil.

Jane said the money would make a real difference to the charity's work, helping children who have suffered a bereavement or who are coping with a terminal illness.

"It will be used to help us to buy equipment to work with the children," she said.

Neil said they were always looking for new and different charities to help and they had decided that the next one to benefit from fundraising by the club will be the Newark branch of Guide Dogs.

Mr Brian Walton from Rolleston brought along his guide dog Kado to the launch at the club, which was held before a Christmas party for about 100 children.

Mr Walton has had guide dogs for many years and is now on his third one. He said his guide dogs has made a huge difference to his life.

"They give you confidence and independence and keep you safe," he said.

"What they can do is amazing."

The fundraising for Guide Dogs has already started in a similar way to last year with club members being invited to write the name of a loved one on a heart decoration, in return for a donation.

There will also be hamper raffles and a repeat of the successful soul day which will be held at the club over the May Bank Holiday weekend.