AN ABERGAVENNY woman has raised over £13,000 for a hospital that provides specialist care for those with Cystic Fibrosis.

Beth Clarke, 34, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at 20 months old, has achieved her revised target of raising over £13,000 for The Better Life Appeal at Llandough Hospital.

Under the guise of her and her friend's charity, Bertha's Army, the original target was to raise £10,000 during 2015.

But this was achieved by October so the bar was raised to £13,000 which is 1% of the required amount of the £1.3 million urgently needed to equip a new Adult Cystic Fibrosis unit at the hospital.

Three events were arranged during the month of December which, in total, helped to reach this.

Early in December, a music night at The Llanfoist Village Hall with the band The Projectors raised £1,250.

On December 20, Mrs Clarke helped to organise the first Christmas run at Llandough Hospital together with the help of the Cardiff and Vale Health Charity Manager Katie Mallam, the Physiotherapy Instructor Steve Howard and General Manager PA Elaine Payne.

This raised £1,250 through stalls, face painting and runner’s sponsorship money.

The group completed their year of fundraising with a music night on December 27, at The Wharf on Cardiff Bay. Hegsy & The Elements entertained along with international music star Peter Karrie and a disco by Simon Diamond. This raised £465, and pushed the total up to £13,456.48.

Mrs Clarke said: “Setting a realistic fundraising target at the beginning of the year was a little tricky, we eventually agreed on £10,000. This was very exciting but honestly a little daunting.

“The fundraising journey has been tiring but incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. I've met some amazingly generous people over the year all of whom have touched my heart.”

Bertha’s Army- comprising of Mrs Clarke, her parents Michelle and John Morgan, from Abergavenny, husband Lyndon Clarke, and friends, Jackie Strawbridge, Ceri-Anne Wilkins and Hayley Mills- would like to thank everyone who has helped them to reach the total.

The hospital provides the only adult cystic fibrosis centre in Wales caring for more than 250 patients including Mrs Clarke.

Mrs Clarke’s highlights of the year include her zip wire challenge across a North Wales quarry, Matthew Wright becoming patron, being part of the first Llandough Hospital’s fun run, and spending valuable time with her family and friends at all of Bertha's Army events.

She added: “The whole year has been an absolute joy. The year ahead won't be quite as busy but there will certainly be more Bertha's Army fundraising to come.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/berthasarmy.