A FUNDRAISING couple from Kidderminster raised more than £570 after hosting a shopping event in aid of Vasculitis – a disease that destroys blood vessels.

Claire, 33, and Andy Greenow-Phillips, 35, welcomed local businesses to Clows Top Victory Hall last Sunday to sell their products and to raise money for the cause.

Mrs Greenow-Phillips said: “We were very happy with the amount we were able to raise.

“We had lots of support from local people attending to buy from the traders and donate money through buying wristbands, refreshments and taking part in the raffle.”

On the day there was an array of gifts on offer to buy, such as candles, scarves, shoes and handbags.

There were also stalls offering gel nails, cakes and refreshments, while children were kept entertained with a bouncy castle, hook a duck and the chance to win a prize in the name a bear competition.

Mrs Greenow-Phillips said: “Even though the weather turned a little damp during the afternoon, there were still lots of children enjoying the bouncy castle and the glitter tattoo stand outside.

“The name a bear competition was a huge succes,s with Duke being the winning name.”

Mrs Greenow-Phillips said the aim of her event was to raise awareness of the condition as well as money to go toward Vasculitis UK.

“Andy has suffered with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, a form of Vasculitis, since October, 2012,” she said.

“A lady from another Worcestershire village came along who suffers from the same vasculitide as Andy, so the two were able to offer one another support and exchange details to stay in contact, which is great for them both."

Mrs Greenow-Phillips said she had various ideas to kick start her fundraising, including a "ladies that lunch" meeting, before deciding on a shopping event.

“As May is national awareness month we decided to do our bit to raise the profile of these rare and potentially life-threatening diseases,” she said.

“We had the idea of asking around local halls and hosting a shopping event where we could get local businesses to sell their items, as well as asking them to donate prizes for a raffle."

Contributing local companies included PartyLite, Scarfoholic, Dubre & Wotsits, Emelia’s Jewellery Parties, Forever Aloe, Coll’s Finishing Touch and Gel Nails by Dani.

Additional prizes also included a treatment voucher from Precious Moments and a framed paper cut from Giraffe and Duck Paper cuts.