THE fundraising effort to raise money for a Magor mum was boosted by over £1,000 at the start of the month.

The fundraiser for Penny Sheppard, of Cowleaze, was held at The Haywain in Caldicot on May 1. She suffered a stroke in November 2014.

Family and friends hope a further one to be held at Caldicot Choir Hall in July will go further to boost the appeal to collect £58,000 to convert their house so Mrs Sheppard can use it.

Currently the total stands at £5,500.

Daughter Sarah Sheppard said: “We raised just over £1,000 and it was a really good turnout.

“A lot of people know my mum and a lot of people who don’t know but they were really generous.”

The events were arranged by The Haywain’s assistant manager and family friend Rhiannon Griffiths, who has previously arranged fundraisers for Caldicot girls Imogen Ashwell-Lewis and Annalese Gosling and another for the Mind charity. They collected £800 and £3,000 respectively.

July’s fundraiser will be held on July 23 from 7pm. A glass of Prosecco will be handed out on arrival and there will be performances from a number of artists, including Caldicot’s Fez and Donna and John Adams, who appeared on The X Factor in 2011.

Tickets are £15. For more information contact Rhiannon on 07710 493925.