A FAMILY who organised a large-scale event in aid of two charities were stunned to find out a mystery donor had doubled the total they raised.

The Race family, from Welbury, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire held a hog roast, dance and auction for 600 people in a marquee at their home in early July.

The C It Off event raised £16,000, which was split between Herriot Hospice Homecare and Macmillan Cancer Support.

However, after informing the charities they were to receive £8,000 each, the family received a letter telling them that a mystery donor had heard about their fundraising efforts and was matching their donation.

The money came from the executors of an estate, who were given the discretion to benefit any cause they saw fit.

The letter stated that the charities had promised not to reveal the identity of the solicitors who arranged the donation.

It added: "They have told us that this payment was made having seen the immense effort that your family put into the C It Off event."

The Race family - parents Les and Tina, and their children, Adam, Nicky and Steph - started fundraising two years ago after three close family members were diagnosed with cancer. The first C It Off event in 2013 raised £18,000.

Nicky, who is battling a rare form of cancer, flew in from Australia to surprise family and friends at the event after finishing chemotherapy early. She is now receiving treatment locally.

Tina Race said the family was amazed to have reached the original total of £16,000, and described the mystery donation as "mind blowing".

"For C It Off to have had the ripple effect of raising £32,000 for these two brilliant charities is just incredible," she said.

"It really makes all the hard work worthwhile, and we are so grateful to everyone who contributed to make the night such a success."

The family presented their half of the total to the two charities this week.

Christine Robinson, fundraising manager for Herriot Hospice Homecare, said: "It is an exceptional amount of money which will play a major part in continuing our services in North Yorkshire."

Clare White, area fundraising manager for Macmillan Caner Support, said: "This donation is amazing. Macmillan is funded almost completely by donations so one of that size is incredible and we will be using it to support local people."