Hayley's breast cancer awareness event has raised more than £2,800.

An event to help women spot early signs of breast cancer, and raise money for charities that help sufferers, has raised more than £2,800.

The informal fund-raising and awareness afternoon at Elston Village Hall on Saturday was organised by young mother Hayley Storey, 34, who lives in the village.

Hayley was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year after finding a small lump in her left breast while she was having a shower.

Although now clear of the disease after extensive treatment and surgery, she wanted other young women to be aware of the importance of checking themselves for possible early signs.

“If I had found my lump later it could have been a very different story,” she said.

“Being diagnosed early made a massive difference.”

Saturday’s event had a small entry fee, a raffle of donated prizes from local businesses, tea and cakes, plus a self-awareness talk by Hayley’s mum, Sandra Wright, who is a nurse, and a video showing women how to check themselves.

“It went so well, I couldn’t believe it,” Hayley said. “There was a queue to get in and the village hall was packed.”

“There was so much positive feedback. It was quite an emotional day, but I am so happy I have done it.”

Hayley said people had appreciated being shown properly how to look for early warning signs of breast cancer.

Some had been in touch since the event to say they had been home and checked themselves.

“People were very grateful we had done it,” Hayley said.

The event made more than £1,165 on the day, which, added to more than £2,000 raised online, will be divided between charities that helped Hayley during her treatment and recovery ­— Breast Cancer Care, Cancer Research UK, and Maggie’s at Nottingham City Hospital.