TRADERS in Ferndown are stepping up their efforts for the family of a local mum tragically lost to cancer.

Serena Hawkes, 30, lost her battle after fighting the killer disease for 18 months. She is survived by her husband and four children.

Richard Cowley, a firefighter at the centre of the fundraising drive from the town's Ringwood Road station, said that businesses had pledged to continue the fundraising campaign.

"There's no business I can single out. They've all been fantastic," he said.

Ellis Jones solicitors has set up a trust fund for the foundation. Alan Edge, the firm's trust manager, said financial experts would be appointed to disperse the cash raised by local businesses.

"This is something we would like to help with and we've promised to set up a free trust," said Mr Edge.

Xerocad, a printing centre opposite the fire station, designed and printed 200 programmes for a charity football match between the firefighters and police officers.

"We've worked with the fire service before and were happy to help a cause where we could see the money going directly to a local family," said boss Mandy Kemp.

Gabriellos hair salon donated free hair care and perfume to a raffle held for the memorial fund.

Benito Salvia, who owns the salon said: "We saw that our position would allow us to sell lots of tickets for the raffle and to help the foundation raise as much money as possible."

Maria Kay, the practice manager at Ferndown's Penny's Hill surgery, said the surgery would continue its collection for as long as the fire service required.

The town's Freemasons donated a cheque for £1,000 to the fund.

Donations to the Hawkes Fund can be made at any branch of Barclays Bank. The sort code is 20 96 96 and the account number is 80849421.

Anyone wishing to help should contact Ferndown Fire Station on 01202 872222.