A RECENT event at Stanford-le-Hope's Welcome Club raised more than £2,5000 for St Luke's Hospice.

The event was organised by longstanding Welcome Club committee member Steve Wooding, who committed himself to at least one annual fundraiser a year for the Basildon and Thurrock-based hospice service as a way of thanking them for the palliative care for his late wife and support for his family.

Former police officer Steve is entertainments officer at the popular club on Victoria Road and he remains immensely grateful for the care shown to his wife Sue as she battled cancer four years ago.

Ultimately, she passed but every year her life is celebrated with a musical event at the club to support St Luke's.

This year South Essex-based band Expose were the main attraction, performing alongside DJ Pete Lacey, and they delighted a crowd of more than 200 who helped raise an amount estimated to be more than £2,500.

Steve and Sue's daughter Karen says: "It was a great night and a wonderful even. The place was really rocking. Our family would like to thank everyone who supported the event for such a wonderful cause – and of course I am so proud of Dad for his achievements and for organising this all on his own."