A WOMAN whose mum was cared for at Marie Curie's Bradford hospice until her death has raised £20,000 in only 18 months for the charity in her memory.

Vicki Burton, 39, of Guiseley, was devastated when her mother Maggie Gilbert, of Ilkley, died in December 2013, aged 67, but she was full of praise for the way Mrs Gilbert was cared for at the Maudsley Street hospice.

Vicki, a mother-of-two, set herself a challenge to repay the £18,000 it cost the charity to care for her mum in her final six weeks.

And now, following a successful fashion show - the second she has organised - held at The Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley, Vicki has smashed her target.

The event featured a fashion show by event sponsor, Attic Womenswear, an independent boutique based in Crescent Courtyard in Ilkley owned by Sarah Lyles, entertainment from soul singer Janet Jaye, and a shopping evening with 45 vendors and dancing.

Vicki said: "Both Sarah and I are delighted at the both the success of the evening and the amount of money raised for the Bradford Marie Curie Hospice this year - the £8,600 pure profit will pay for a massive 430 hours of nursing care.

"I was particularly emotional at the total because this takes the amount I’ve raised in just 18 months for the hospice to over £20,000 and means that I have more than paid back for my mum's care, a challenge I thought would take me three to four years.

"We had over 200 women attend the evening, with tickets selling out in just over four weeks – the ladies’ enjoyed a retail shopping experience with over 40 independent businesses, a dinner and an excellent performance from soul singer Janet Jaye, before sitting back and watching the fashion-show by Attic Womenswear.

"We also had over 22 local businesses sponsor our evening and a massive thank you goes out to all of them

"We cannot wait to put on our third night next year, the date is already set for October 14, 2016, and we hope to raise as much, if not more, for such a worthy cause."

Vicki is now due to go on a fundraising trek to Sri Lanka from November 6 to 15, with 23 Marie Curie fundraisers.

“I am excited about the trek. I’m really looking forward not only to the challenge, but also to having an amazing experience in memory of my mum," she added.

Visit justgiving.com/vikburton to sponsor Vicki’s charity trek.