A SPECTACULAR £5,600 has been raised in memory of a Fishguard school teacher, tragically killed in a car accident four years ago.

Catrin Vaughan was a talented local teacher at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, Fishguard. She taught pupils aged seven-11 years with additional learning needs in the school's Learning Resource Centre.

In April 2014, Catrin was involved in a car accident on her way to work and suffered fatal injuries. She was only 30 years old and was due to marry later that year.

The Catrin Vaughan foundation was set up by Catrin's family, to help Pembrokeshire children with additional learning needs by supplying resources, services and equipment that are not always available from the local education authority.

Haverfordwest Ladies Circle and Round Table organised a Butterfly Ball to raise funds for the foundation held at Wolfscastle Country Hotel attended by more than 130 local people.

Last week, the two organisations presented The Catrin Vaughan Foundation with a cheque for £5,684.

Catrin's sister, Bethan, was over-whelmed with the amount raised.

"I am so grateful to Haverfordwest Ladies Circle Round Table for organising the event for us, it was a magical evening," she said.

"A huge thank you must go to all of the people and businesses for their very kind and generous donations of prizes for the auction and raffle – the auction alone raised over £3,000 - and indeed for all of the local people who joined us for an evening of dancing and fundraising.

"We also asked some of the schools and individual children that we have helped so far to decorate blue butterflies for the tables on the evening and everyone commented on how special these were.

"Since we started the foundation four and a half years ago, £20,254 has been raised to help children in the form of classroom equipment, specialist speech and language sessions, books, outdoor play equipment, indoor sensory equipment and school trips.

"These are things that quite often the school budget can't cover. This amazing amount raised at the ball will do so much good for local children who really need and deserve our help."

The foundation trustees hope that the event will have helped to spread the word about the valuable work of Catrin's foundation, prompting those who know of children in need of additional financial support to apply for their help.

Already, one local teacher who was present on the night has successfully applied for an IT learning resource for a pupil at Prendergast Community Primary School.

"It's really special being able to keep Catrin's passion of helping children with additional learning needs alive," she said. "If anyone knows of a school or individual in Pembrokeshire that could benefit from the support of the foundation please don't hesitate to contact us. We can be reached on Facebook and by email; thecatrinvaughanfoundation@gmail.com.