Hitchin Bridge Club players have raised a hefty sum to help people affected by homelessness.

Some £1,047 was raised on the afternoon to support the North Herts Sanctuary, run by the Haven, with 68 bridge players taking part. Haven trustee Bob Robinson spoke about the work they do.

Saroj Ellis, one of the organisers, told the Comet she had been inspired after feeling helpless when a homeless man caught her attention for help in freezing weather on a London street.

She said: “At my third fundraising event for North Herts Sanctuary a friend, Larraine Cooper, said we could do a lot better. That’s how the idea of a bridge event came to fruition.

“Heather Allen joined us shortly afterwards – followed by Elaine Duff, Katka Kessler, Gill Gumby, Christine Bryce, Jane Sparks and Bernadette Callis, all from Hitchin Bridge Club, who also backed us by letting us use their equipment and providing a platform to publicise the event.”