Two friends who raised thousands of pounds for brain tumour research have been nominated as Young Champion of the Year for Your Champions.

Boughton’s Kate Rugg, 11, and Jess Leathwaite, eight, organised an Easter family fair in Waverton in April.

After setting an initial target of £1,000, the girls smashed through that goal to raise more than £4,000.

Kate was inspired to help The Brain Tumour Charity after losing her beloved grandfather Eddie last year.

She enlisted friend and neighbour Jess before the pair put two months of hard work into organising the event.

Kate said: “I wanted a way to celebrate the life of Grandad, as well as help to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Boughton schoolgirl Kate Rugg with her late granddad Eddie Jackson

“Every year 5,000 people lose their lives to a brain tumour and yet less than 2% of cancer research funding in the UK is spent on this area.

“Any money raised from our event will go towards research on brain tumours and getting information out there so more people know what symptoms to look out for.”

The event included a variety of stalls, competitions, crafts, an auction and a family quiz. There was even go-karting and a bouncy castle.

Such was Kate and Jess’s hard work they managed to whip up plenty of local support.

Kate added: “I just can’t stop grinning. We really enjoyed it and we’re already planning our next event.

"We’d like to have a business doing event management when we’re older. I didn’t think we’d raise that much, I just can’t believe it.”

A number of Cheshire companies donated generously to the cause.

The Young Champion of the Year award celebrates young people under the age of 19, who have succeeded – often against the odds, tirelessly fundraise or has helped others.

Kate Rugg and Jess Leathwaite organised an Easter fair for charity all by themselves, raising thousands of pounds

Kate’s mum Sarah said: “It was emotional seeing the final sum raised on that spreadsheet. Kate’s grandad (my dad) would be so proud.

“I don’t think it would have been this successful if he hadn’t been the driver behind it. Kate and Jess should be immensely proud.”

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