A FUNDRAISING event to show appreciation for the care received by a West Devon baby has raised thousands of pounds.

A charity event was held at Lifton Strawberry Fields earlier in the year titled 'Annabelle's Big Thank you' to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital's Grand Appeal, after 12 month old Annabelle was treated for a heart condition.

Annabelle's mother Leanne Knight, whose parents own Lifton Strawberry Fields, helped organise the event, which saw a total of £8,000 raised from the Lifton Farm Shop Vintage Tea Party and auction, a grand draw, donations through the Justgiving website and match funding from Barclays, thanks to Tavistock bank manager Nicola Rapson.

The family said Annabelle was making 'amazing' progress and they hope one day she will come off her heart medication.

She was at Bristol Hospital for five weeks last Christmas and the family said if it wasn't for the hospital, Annabelle would not be alive today.

They said the hospital was the centre of excellence for seriously ill children in the South West and it needs all the support people can give.

The money raised will be used to help buy a specialist stretcher for the children's air ambulance which now has a helipad at the hospital, saving vital time in emergencies.

As well as the heart unit, the hospital is now the centre for burns and all children's trauma.

The cheque for £8,000 was recently presented to the Bristol Children's Hospital Grand Appeal.

The family expressed thanks to the many people who who made the huge donation possible — to those who donated on the website, attending and helping on the fundraising day, to the many businesses who gave raffle and generous auction prizes, the staff of Lifton Farm Shop who worked hard on the vintage tea, Nicola Rapson for organising and the match funding of £1,000 from Barclays' Bank.