A TEENAGER raised a staggering £43,000 for a cancer charity in memory of a family friend.

Jordan Riley, 18, of Barrowford, organised a Pink Ball at Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green, raising the money for Cancer Research UK.

The sixth-form pupil decided to raise funds for charity after Patricia Cryer died of breast cancer in November last year.

Ms Cryer was the mother of Jordan's godmother, Sally Waddington, and she had been battling cancer for almost 10 years.

Jordan said: “She was a really nice person and we were all very shocked when she passed away.

“I wanted to keep my godmother motivated and busy so I thought that fundraising would be a good way to do this."

The teenager persuaded many local businesses to donate prizes and sponsorship to make the ‘Perfectly Pink Ball’ a success.

“I’m delighted that it was so successful. We had more than 350 guests who had a really good time.

"I have seen the impact cancer had on my family and friends and I want to do something to help others who are going through something similar."

She now intends to raise more money for the charity by running in the 5k ‘Race for Life'.

And after the donations flooded in, final year students Jordan, Charlie McDermott and Megan Hindle, presented the cheque to Sarah McPhee, Lancashire area volunteer manager for the charity.

Sarah said: “We are extremely grateful to Jordan and all her friends who helped organise the event and of course to Stonyhurst College for all their support.

“The ‘Perfectly Pink Ball’ was a massive success and we can't thank them enough.

“Cancer Research UK's work underpins today's treatments for women with breast cancer.

"Our doctors, nurses and scientists are playing a crucial role in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease.”