A PACKED-OUT ladies’ night has helped raise �1500 for the hospital that gave a Great Yarmouth mother the gift of life with a heart transplant.

The evening took place on Friday at The Masonic Lodge and was organised by Rachael Lear in aid of Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, where she had the operation twenty years ago and defied doctors’ survival predictions.

On the night, which kicked off at 7.30pm, visitors had a range of stalls to browse through, with goods including jewellery and chocolate on offer.

There were also models strolling among the crowds wearing clothes from local outfitters as part of a fashion show that ran over the course of the evening.

Rachael, 46, said: “I couldn’t believe how many people were there. By 7.30pm I was told that queues were stretched out the door and round the corner- there must have been more than 200 people in total.”

Those who got involved also had a chance to win one of many prizes on the raffle, and according to reports the cakes on sale went down particularly well. The event is the first of a number she has planned running up to celebrations marking the 20-year anniversary of her operation, and she hopes to raise more than �20,000 for the hospital.

The next event will be taking place in Burgh Castle at Burgh Hall, Lords Lane on Saturday, April 9.

From 8pm, three bands will be playing- All Mod Cons, The Lore Breakers and the Looney Tunes- and there will be a raffle as well. Tickets are �5 and can be bought from Rachael on 01493 663225 or from The King’s Arms pub on Northgate Street.