Pictured above: Vanessa Hoe, Cookes Marketing Director, with an arrangement

Family furniture specialists created a colourful splash in their showrooms, and raised a blooming fantastic £3,000 to brighten the lives of cancer sufferers.

Cookes Furniture store, based in Erdington, hosted an in-store Flower Festival, on June 7, in aid of The Cancer Support Centre in Sutton Coldfield, which is based within the St Giles' Hospice.

The Goosemoor Lane store was a riot of colour and perfume, thanks to 250 fabulous arrangements, that were displayed on pieces of furniture around the store. The arrangements were lovingly created by volunteers, who gave up their time to help the charity.

The eye-catching arrangements were so enticing, it is no surprise to learn that they were snapped-up by customers and staff at the end of the day.

The Flower Festival raised £3,000, which included a donation of £1,000 from Cookes Furniture.

Vanessa Hoe, Cookes' Marketing Director said: "We were delighted with the support that we received from our manufacturers, local companies and also local flower arrangers for the very worthwhile Cancer Support Centre.

"The day was a great success, and everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed it," added Vanessa.

All the proceeds were given to the cancer centre, which supports sufferers, and affected family and friends.

Patricia Brighton, Fundraising Trustee, for The Cancer Support Centre, said: "We were able to raise an amazing sum of money, for which we are extremely grateful. We are a small, self-funded charity, who have no government funding. Therefore, we rely on donations - such as this one from Cookes Furniture, fund raising activities, and bidding for donations from trust organisations."

"The store looked wonderful, and it was a successful day, " added Patricia.

The Cancer Support Centre offers a place of sanctuary, where anyone affected by cancer can get support, information and complementary therapies, at any time during their experience of the disease.

The complementary therapies and activities offered to those with cancer can aid recovery and lessen the distressing symptoms of the disease and its treatment.

Family members and friends of those stricken by cancer can also benefit from therapies and group activities at the Centre, such as yoga, art and meditation.