MEMBERS of the Eldene Community Centre social club were on target to raise £3,000 for the Abby Smith Cancer Appeal from a sponsored darts marathon.

The dozen-strong group of volunteers played a continual match in rotation for 24 hours at the Eldene Community Centre to raise funds for the cause.

Starting at 8pm on Friday evening, the team played through until 8pm Saturday.

The Evening Advertiser caught up with them as team members were having their breakfast after a sleepless night.

Tony Beckett, a 49-year-old scaffolder from Eldene, said: "It has been pretty hard work to keep going, but it is for a very good cause so we are all pleased to be taking part.

"Whenever one of us starts feeling tired, we help them through.

"My wife June has a granddaughter who is also called Abby Smith, and when we heard about the appeal and her story, it struck a chord. It is a great cause and we wanted to help."

The event was inspired by the heartbreaking story of three-year-old Abby Smith who lost her battle against cancer in July last year.

Her mother Helen, a primary school teacher, set up the Abby Smith Cancer Appeal in memory of her daughter to raise funds for CALM the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement.

The sponsorship money was combined with a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses, ranging from £50 worth of meat to a flight in a microlight aircraft.

Abby's grandmother Hazel Cherry, 59, from Abbey Meads paid tribute to their efforts.

She said: "I think it's wonderful what they have done. We joined those taking part at the club for a couple of hours and it was lovely to meet them all.

"We have been very touched by the generosity of everyone."