Debbie drums up another £3,000 at Market Drayton fundraiser - with pictures
A Market Drayton fundraiser who has spent 11 years raising money for good causes after losing her family is celebrating the latest successful charity event.
Debbie Howlett decided to turn her grief into something positive after her husband Symon and son Jay were killed in a freak accident on holiday in 2007.
The 11th annual Symon & Jay Howlett Memorial Charity Evening went ahead at the town's Royal British Legion club last weekend, and Debbie estimates that they raised about £3,000 through the ticket sales, raffle tickets and donations.
Hipster performed and Tecsdecs DJed.
Debbie chooses a new recipient every time, and this year the money will go to help adapt the home of her brother Martyn Kiely, who suffers with severe multiple sclerosis.
"It was brilliant," said Debbie. "It didn't start until seven, but people were coming in at 20 past six to make sure they got a seat.
"Each year it gets a little better. This last one had the most people in it, so many people were saying they really enjoyed it.
"It could have gone on a lot longer, it finished at about 1am and there were still people dancing.
"My brother was able to go for two or three hours, it was hard work for him.
"It is just so rewarding. I'm overwhelmed by the people that come, the prizes I get for the raffle, all the help from the people around me."
Debbie thanked everyone that helped the appeal, and revealed that she has already set the date for next year's event.
"It will be a bit later next year, I have booked it for April 23 because it would have been Jay's 18th birthday on April 27.
"I want it to be the best one ever and I'm sure it will be."
