FUNDRAISERS hit record sales at this year’s NSPCC book fair - bringing their fundraising total to £500,000.

The event for the children’s charity has been running for 30 years, and for its 30th anniversary organisers wanted to set a big target.

With £475,000 already in the bank from 30 years of fundraising, organiser Elisabeth Borg set the huge task of raising £25,000 across one weekend to bring the total up to £500,000.

Thanks to the visitors who attended the event at Holmwood House School in Colchester, the ambitious target was achieved.

Books, games, jigsaws, CDs and DVDs were on sale.

Ms Borg said she was still buzzing from the event.

She said: “We have never taken that much money in one weekend before.

“We really wanted to reach the magic half million on our 30th anniversary.

“It was absolutely wonderful. We made about £14,500 on the first day.

“I gathered everyone together and said we really wanted to reach that £25,000.”

She said it was the best ever event in terms of fundraising, even though less people came through the door this year.

She said: “We had about 1,550 which was down on last year.

“In my heart of hearts I was praying for it but I knew I was pushing my luck.”