A FUNDRAISING group is already planning its next event to raise money for Rose Hill Junior Youth Club after it smashed its first target.

The group, run by four women from Headington and North Oxford, held an open garden day on June 28.

The event’s organisers hoped opening up seven gardens would raise up to £1,500.

But by the end of Sunday’s event, £2,600 had been raised, which will help pay for special staff and a trip for children and their parents.

The event was the first of a series planned by Rebecca Mather, Bebe Speed, Sally Lowe and Chris Caunt.

Now they are preparing for a dinner party in the estate’s community centre in September, which they hope will generate even more funds.

About 100 people attended the open garden event at a cost of £15 a ticket.

Ms Speed said: “We were delighted – £575 was raised just from selling plants, which is staggering. People were very generous in what they brought. We were absolutely amazed by the turnout and we were very fortunate with the weather.

“We are planning to run a dinner in the community centre in Rose Hill in September.

“They run the Junior Youth Club there so that will give people a chance to use the rooms and meet some of the children.”

The fundraising group was set up after the four ladies heard of the efforts of community worker Fran Gardiner.

She runs the youth club, which is attended by more than 80 young people each week.

Ms Gardner said: “Because we have never done it before I had no experience and did not know what to expect.

“It was just lovely.

“I was completely staggered by the amount that was raised.

“I think we will put some of the money towards specialist staffing.

“We need that particularly for children with things like autism and ADHD.

“It is very important for us that we have staff who are trained for that so they can give those children the level of support they need. I would also like to do a trip with the children and parents.”

“What Bebe, Rebecca, Sally and Chris want really is to engage people to give a small amount every month.

“That really is one of their goals and if we knew we had a certain amount coming in every month then we could plan more.

“There were so many comments from people there saying how nice it was to have someone from the youth club actually at the event.”