TWO farming families at Bentham Auction Mart have raised thousands for a cancer charity.

CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria offers support to people in North Lancashire and South Cumbria who are affected by cancer.

And now thanks to two farming fundraisers at auction, the charity has received nearly £5,000 towards its vital work in the community.

Dave Barton, who has been farming turkeys for 70 years, sold his last turkey at the mart to mark his retirement – raising over £1,700 for CancerCare.

And Young Farmer Ellie Jackson won ‘best presented lamb’ which, on auction, raised a further £3,120.

Ellie said, "I was amazed at how much we raised, we never expected this! My Grandma, Barbara Jackson died in 2022. She was well known in the area and everyone wanted to support this in her memory."

Claire Mason, CancerCare’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “We’re delighted to receive these donations, which will go directly to supporting people in our area affected by cancer.

“As so much of the area we serve is rural, the farming community are really important to us as a charity. Over 93 per cent of our income comes from donations, and this money will help make sure we are there for those who really need us.”