A charity netball tournament in Hitchin has raised more than £3,000 for the NHS.

The tournament was held at The Priory School and brought in cash for the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity.

Organisers would like to thank everyone involved including players, umpires, volunteers, and raffle prize donors, The Priory School for providing its courts - not to mention sponsors, which also included Lucky Penny Weddings among others.

'It was Lucky Penny Weddings privilege to be one of the sponsors for Saturdays fantastic charity fundraising tournament at The Priory school in Hitchin," says Lucky Penny's humble owner Kate Peto, who takes up the story.

"Bethany McNeil, head of public fundraising for the East and North Herts Hospital charity was looking for business to sponsor a netball tournament, having worked for five years in Occupational Therapy at the Lister it was a yes from me," explained kind-hearted Kate.

"What a fantastic time I had on Saturday, like most people I haven't watched a netball match since I left school - wow what I've been missing," smiled Kate.

"I was hooked from game one and got chatting to a fellow spectator who was there supporting his wife and daughters team, cheekily named 'He Shoots, She Scores' It turned out they were the team to beat."

Kate added: "I had a fantastic time, netball has a new fan in me and I will definitely be back next year."

As you can see by our lead photo, between matches players piled into Penny [Kate's beloved VW camper van] and shared their love of the game - with the team 'He Shoots, She Scores' narrowly beaten in the final by the fantastic Laurens Saints.

The winning teams were Lauren's Saints who won the Lauren Hughes Cup, Team Titans who won the Kathy Lindskog Trophy and Diamonds who won the Fiona Downie Plate.

All of the trophies were named in memory of three ladies who were dedicated to the sport and are sadly missed by the local netball community.

Bethany McNeil, head of public fundraising at East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity announced that £3,241.60 was raised East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity and the Road Victim's Trust.

The much-needed funds will go to the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity - will specifically be supporting their children's ward appeal which aims to transform the existing garden so they can create a magical, fun and engaging space for the children they treat, as well as their families.

"What a day and a brilliant day of netball," said Bethany.

"This incredible amount wouldn't have been possible without our incredible sponsors who include: Lucky Penny Weddings, GKL Mortgage Brokers, TaxAssist Accountants Hitchin & Letchworth, The Bespoke Bakery and Posh Dogs Grooming Salon. 

"We would also like to thank Priory School in Hitchin for hosting, local Coop Branches in Hitchin, Shefford and Stevenage for donating water and refreshments and to all of the volunteers who supported the day including our umpires, runners and those who helped on the refreshment stall and raffle- we wouldn't have been able to run the day without you."

Bethany added: "We were also overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses who donated raffle prizes helping us to raise £600 alone.