A FUNDRAISING dinner to support a dad of three triplets whose wife died shortly after giving birth to the premature children has raised more than £17,000.

A former Chef at Rothay Garden hotel in Grasmere, and also Head Chef of Gate House Outward Bound Centre in Eskdale, Steven Park and his wife Rachel had triplets in the Spring of 2016.

However, due to them being born at only 26 weeks they were very poorly and remained in hospital in Newcastle for more than six months. It was not until just before Christmas last year that Poppie, Mollie and Evelyn were taken to the couple's home in Whitehaven for the first time.

But tragedy struck when Rachel, who had endured difficulties while pregnant, died suddenly on the December 27. She was just 39 years old.

With Steven now forging a life for him and his three girls, bringing them up on his own, many of his friends have rallied round and raised funds over the last few months for 'the little ladies'.

The fundraising was given a massive boost recently when Chris Carss, owner at Rothay Garden, threw a gala dinner in aid of Steven and the triplets for nearly 150 guests at the hotel in Grasmere.

More than £17,000 was raised by hotel guests and local residents and businesses at the dinner through ticket sales, donations and a charity auction.

Mr Carss said: “we were delighted to be able to raise so much on the evening.

"Steven is such a nice person, and his daughters are lovely too.

"They deserve so much, and I’m pleased that our evening was able to raise funds which will go some way to helping Steven look after his girls in the months and years to come."

Following Mrs Park's death last December, an online fundraiser was set up with the aim of raising £40,000 to support Mr Park. So far, it has raised nearly £27,000, and can be found at www.gofundme.com/8252n5bg