A fundraising group raised over £4,000 for a Workington girl by eating “the hottest curry in Cumbria”.

Xtreme 13 took on the challenge to help six-year-old Emily Shutt, who is fighting leukaemia.

Emily, of Railbank Drive, was diagnosed with leukaemia aged two. Her family are hoping she will qualify for a medical trial at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and they are raising money to help them with the costs.

Xtreme 13 raised £4,105 against their initial target of £2,000 by eating “the hottest curry in Cumbria” – a chicken phal from Maryport Tandoori - at the Sailors Return.

Founding member Glen Boylan, 51, said: “We can’t believe how much we’ve raised. We’re all very proud to have taken part.

“The decision to support Emily was unanimous, and hopefully this will help.”

Helen Johnson, Emily’s mum, said: “I’m lost for words. The support has been absolutely fantastic.

“They’re a lovely bunch of guys and it was lovely to meet them all.

“We’re still a long way off, but this for us is a little step forward to getting my little girl better.”

This was supposed to be the group’s 13th and last challenge, but Glen said they decided to carry on due to people’s support and encouragement.

They have spent the last 10 years completing mammoth tasks and crazy stunts in the name of charity.

For their first challenge, in 2006, 19 people and a border collie swam in 13 Cumbrian lakes in one day.