A memorial fun day in tribute to nine-year-old Jade Johnstone, who died suddenly earlier this year, is expected to raise more than £2,000 when the total has been counted.
Jade’s parents, John and Jan Johnstone, were joined by family and friends at the Thomas A Becket pub in St James in Northampton for a day of games, dancing and a charity auction in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Mr Johnstone said it was a good way to keep Jade’s memory alive and added: “It was fantastic, but we won’t really know how much it raised until we get the rest of the pots from the different pubs.
“We’ve got about £1,900 at the moment and McManus Taverns actually said they’re going to make it a yearly thing. It’s only going to get better.”
The proceeds will be donated to CRY, which raises awareness of undiagnosed heart problems.
Mr Johnstone said he hoped one of the charity’s patrons, Sir Steve Redgrave, would be able to collect a donation cheque from the family.
Paul McManus, of McManus Taverns, which owns the Thomas A Becket, said: “Mary, the landlady, told me it was a really successful day and they’ll do it next year as well. CRY isn’t something many people are aware of, so it’s nice to support something that raises awareness.”
Pupils at Lyncrest Primary School unveiled their own tribute to Jade this summer, in the form of an outdoor stage.
An inquest into Jade’s sudden death, during a swimming lesson at The Duston School in January, is expected to take place in October.
