More than 200 ladies from across Kent gathered in Maidstone to celebrate the 48th bi-annual Women of Kent Luncheon in aid of a Faversham charity.

The aim of the lunch was to bring together both professional and volunteer women to honour and thank them for their contribution to the county.

More than £10,000 was raised for the Fynvola Foundation in Faversham, a residential centre for adults with learning difficulties and life-limiting illnesses.

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It is hoped the money will help to buy special transport equipment for the residents.

Jenny Gurney, chair of the Fynvola Foundation said: "We like our residents to go out into their local community but because they are in wheelchairs or have to be kept at a certain degree for their digestive systems, we have to have very special transport which obviously costs a lot of money.

"We hope this will go towards that. The ladies have been generous in the past. I am grateful for anything that could be raised for us."

Watch: Hundreds attend charity lunch

The first lunch took place in 1970 and since then, have raised more than £150,000 for charities including The Red Cross and Kent Air Ambulance.

Chairman Fiona Sunley said: "I'm absolutely thrilled with the money we have raised through advertising, ticket sales, sponsorship and donations. We are very excited to be a bit of a help.

"I would like to say thank you so much to the women for coming and supporting us and thank you so much for your contribution towards Fynvola and the life of our county."

Guests arrived at The Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne at noon yesterday before sitting down for a three-course lunch at 1pm.

The women came from all backgrounds, including school governors, business leaders, magistrates, care workers and health professionals.

Writer and biographer Artemis Cooper, who was invited as a guest speaker, said: "It was amazing when I was invited, really great. I know some of the organisers and it’s a lovely opportunity to tell people about my new book and it’s a great honour to be here."