THE family of Mary McBlain was left 'gobsmacked' last night by a staggering show of support from the community at a memorial fundraiser.

The event in memory of the Blackbird Leys housewife, who died two weeks before Christmas last year aged just 35, saw hundreds of people converge on Florence Park Community Centre for games, food and activities running late into the night.

Mother Sandra McBlain, of Blay Close, said after an initial count-up the family had raised £2,000 in a single evening - twice as much as their original target for the Special Care Baby Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

She said: "It was emotional and I was absolutely gobsmacked by the amount we have raised. We said as a family if we raised £1,000 that was our target."

"By the time the afternoon event had finished we already had £1,000. In the evening it was absolutely chock-a-block because all the darts players came up for the adult competition."

A feast of activities including face painting, competitions, two raffles and bowling kept visitors entertained throughout the day.

Mary, a mother-of-two, was well-loved by many on the Blackbird Leys estate and the event in her memory was arranged by family members, friends and local businesses to 'give something back' to Oxford's hospitals.

Mrs McBlain added: "It was emotional. Last night I thanked everybody and I am so proud that Mary's memory could achieve so much."

You can still donate to the appeal by clicking here.