EDITH Pickering, organiser of the Devizes branch of the charity Save the Children, last week presented certificates of thanks to three women who have helped the branch raise a record-breaking sum of money this year.

Kay Billett, proprietor of Beale's of Bath fashion store in St John's Street, received her award for allowing the charity to sell their Christmas goods in her shop in the run-up to the festive season, helping them to raise £3,000 from the sale of merchandise this year.

Deanna Capper and friends, following their fundraising concerts in aid of Save the Children's Indian earthquake appeal earlier this year, put on a sale of nearly new fashions, entitled Classy Clothes, at the Wharf Theatre at the end of November, raising a sum of £712.

Juliet Reid, proprietor of the recently-opened Wine Street Gallery, was given her certificate for raising £558 for Save the Children at the preview of her first exhibition, featuring the work of many renowned local artists.

Edith Pickering said: "Save the Children does so much all over the world, but we wouldn't be able to achieve anything without the support of people like these who work so hard and give so generously."