THOUSAND of pounds to support families affected by life-limiting and terminal illnesses was raised at an event in honour of two youngsters.

Connie and Joe Calling, at Allithwaite Playing Fields, attracted support from more than 1,000 people as well as a number of local businesses.

The event featured live music, family attractions, singing and dancing - raising more than £3,000 for the Butterfly Hugs charity, set up as a legacy to Connie and Joe Elson, from Cark.

The whole community pulled together to volunteer and support the event, and even the sun made an appearance after a drizzly start to the day.

Visitors enjoyed family attractions including bubble football, trampolines, bouncy castles and characters from Marvellous Events.

Teachers from Allithwaite Primary School showed their support by running a cake stall.

In the afternoon local groups including Elite School of Dance and the Bay Community Singers entertained the crowds while Rusty Bullets, The Bare Bones Experience, Among Giants, Chuck Fish and the Underdogs got everyone dancing the night away.

There was plenty of food and drink available with Hog Roast provided by David Matthews' Spit and Crackle, ice cream from At Home and alcohol from the Pheasant Inn, Allithwaite.

Joe and Connie were also at the event.

The siblings both suffer from the genetic condition metachromatic Leukodystrophy.

Connie, now eight, was diagnosed at four after changing from being bright and articulate to becoming clumsy and lacking concentration. She is now paralysed, unable to talk and is fed through a feeding tube. But despite this she has great spirit and determination and is always smiling.

Joe, who is six, has been fortunate to be put on a genetic trial because he was diagnosed before the disease displayed any symptoms.

The trial involved Joe having chemotherapy and the gene that will hopefully switch on the process that breaks down the effects of MLD.