Cllr Helen Sprawson-White, chair of Mendip District Council, hosted a fundraising tea party in Shepton Mallet recently in honour of CLIC Sargent.

Cllr Sprawson-White welcomed guests including Mendip District Council staff and councillors, the chairs and mayors throughout the district, as well as representatives from CLIC Sargent.

More than 50 people attended the tea party which was held at the council office garden in Shepton Mallet.

Staff and councillors were asked to bake cakes for a "bake-off" to find the best cake. The cakes were judged by Cllr Sprawson-White and Tracy Aarons, deputy chief executive of Mendip District Council.

The winning cake was an elderflower, blueberry and lemon cake baked by Kelly Knight, economic development officer. Kelly won a certificate, a cake whisk and other baking equipment which was kindly donated.

The donated cakes were then sold to guests to raise money for the charity. There was also a raffle where guests could win prizes that had been kindly donated. Overall, the tea party raised more than £250 for CLIC Sargent.

CLIC Sargent supports children and family's fighting cancer. It provides grants and accommodation near hospitals to help with costs.

The care teams help families get benefits and treatments closer to home, and the charity lobbies the government to make sure people get the support they're entitled to.

Cllr Sprawson-White said: ''We had a wonderful afternoon raising money for CLIC Sargent and it was a privilege to host such a positive event and support a charity that makes such a difference to young people and their families facing cancer.

''The tea party went really well and it was lovely to meet some of the chairs and mayors of the district as well as meeting Rachel, Maggie and Deb from CLIC Sargent.

''Council staff have been working very hard this year raising lots of money through fun and creative fundraisers like this tea party - getting to judge and taste test all the cakes staff kindly donated for the Bake-Off was a bonus.''

Rachel Webster, CLIC Sargent fundraising manager, said: "Thank you so much to Cllr Sprawson-White and all at Mendip for hosting such a lovely event.

"CLIC Sargent supported 78 families in Somerset last year and we can only be there for these families through support like we receive from Mendip District Council.

''It was fantastic to meet so many people and taste the delicious cakes. Two hundred and fifty pounds is a brilliant amount and it was a good opportunity for myself and volunteer Maggie, whose granddaughter is being supported by CLIC Sargent, to let people know about the impact of their support.

''It is amazing to hear that the council has raised its target this year to £4,000 - this amount could help fund a CLIC Sargent social worker's time for over a month, so they can be there for families from the point of diagnosis and throughout cancer treatment."

The council would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the tea party, the generous donations will make a difference to young people and their families going through cancer.

Council staff have now raised more than £3,000 and have set a new target of £4,000 for the end of the year.