GENEROUS members of a senior citizens' club have raised more than £2,000 toward breast cancer treatment.

Thornwood Seniors Association selected the Epping Breast Unit at St Margaret's Hospital as its charity for 2012.

Members enjoyed a string of fundraising events throughout the year, including a garden party and an evening's entertainment from a pearly king and queen.

Club goers presented a cheque for £1,976 to charity representatives at their annual Christmas dinner on Thursday - and managed to collect a further £58 by the end of the meal.

Group organiser Iris Smith, 70, said: "People have been very generous.

"Every now and then we would put an open umbrella around the hall and ask people to drop their change in."

Thornwood Seniors is one of the largest groups of its kind, with 120 members and a waiting list of people eager to join.

The association meets weekly at Thornwood Village Hall and members enjoy regular outings and social events.

"If we're not on an outing we'll have a fish and chip lunch or a social afternoon," said Mrs Smith.

"Lots of people have joined because they lost a partner.

"There are eight people who didn't know each other before they came here - and they went on holiday together this year."

The Seniors have chosen Essex Air Ambulance as their 2013 charity.