A lively auction and buffet at Watford Seventh Day Adventist Church, in Brixton Road, helped raise more than £1,300 for Teenage Cancer Trust and The Peace Hospice on Sunday.

Attended by Watford's Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, the buffet and auction was part of the "Lily Rose Cancer Awareness Day", an event organised by the church’s Women’s Ministries Department, in partnership with Health Ministries, to increase awareness of the disease and raise support for those suffering from it.

An afternoon programme focused mainly on Breast Cancer, which is the most common form of cancer.

Mr Sakar Vas, a Consultant Surgeon at Watford General Hospital, gave a presentation on how to look for symptoms and how doctors check for the occurrence of cancerous cells.

Jane Gontier, from the Peace Hospice, and Carolyn Mwaniki, from the Teenage Cancer Trust, spoke of how the funds raised will help people who are suffering.

Uplifting and inspirational songs were sung by the Watford Gospel Community Choir, and personal experiences were shared.

Andre Best, team leader of those organising the event, said: "We’ve lost a lot of our church members to cancer.

"Two of our young ladies, who have lost their mothers to cancer, named the event after their mother’s favourite flowers, Lily and Rose.

"I think the event allowed the community to see that not only are we a religious body but we also share the same concerns in everyday health matters.

"Cancer has no boundaries, it affects everyone directly or indirectly. This event was put on for our community, a time to learn, support & share."

At the end of the day people wrote messages for lost loved ones, or those currently struggling with cancer, leaving them on a remembrance tree that will be kept inside the church for years to come.