FRIENDS and colleagues of a much-loved member of a school community have raised more than £5,000 in her memory.

Jill Paton died last year and friends wanted to remember her with a fundraising challenge.

They came up with the idea of conquering all 214 of the Lake District Wainwrights. Within six weeks they had done just that - and an awful lot more - raising £5,218.63 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Eden Valley Hospice.

Jill was HR manager at Cockermouth School for 12 years. A spokesman said: “Jill passed away in September last year having courageously battled cancer for a number of years; she was a true fighter.

“Nothing was too much trouble; she made time for each and every one of us, her door was always open. Regardless of her own issues, she was always there to offer support, advice and guidance; she spent her entire life helping and caring for others.”

Three members of staff – Judy Milledge, Candy Regan and Jo Hampson – wanted to do something to remember their “fabulous friend” and raise funds for the organisations which supported Jill and her family. Fifty five people headed into the fells, walking up a total of 493. Funds were boosted with a non-uniform day, Sixth Form charity committee donation and cake sale.

A spokesman said: "A huge thank you to each and every one of you who walked and donated. From our perspective, this has been a great way to keep Jill in our thoughts and memories and has done us the world of good over the most challenging of terms, so thank you."

To donate: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/candy-regan3.