CHARITY champions were delighted when they counted the money raised for two causes and found they had more than doubled their target.

The Billy Row Green Inn fundraising committee has given almost £5,000 to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and the Down's Syndrome Association.

The cash crusade was launched by the landlady of the Green Inn, Catherine Dakers, in May.

She was inspired to start the appeal after her grandson, nine-month-old Sam, was born prematurely.

He underwent an emergency operation on his bowel at the RVI's baby unit soon after his birth.

Pub regulars Paula and Steven Edmundson, of Stanley Crook, whose youngest son, Jack, six, has Down's Syndrome, joined the campaign so the money raised could be shared with the Down's Syndrome Association.

Mrs Dakers said: "Our family wanted to help other youngsters unfortunate enough to have to stay in hospital and to say thank-you to the ward itself.

"The Down's Syndrome Association is another cause close to all our hearts so we wanted to raise money and awareness of it."

The committee held several fundraising events over the past two months, including a quoits competition, treasure hunt and a golden jubilee celebration.

The committee presented £2,500 to ward four at the RVI and £2,250 to the Down's Syndrome Association.