Jane White, from Hythe has helped to raise £17,000 for the Southampton-based charity Leukaemia Busters by taking part, with all the female members of her family, in the Royal Southampton Yacht Club's 'Ladies Who Launch' fundraising event.

The Ladies Who Launch Challenge saw teams of all-girl crews cross the Channel on a sponsored sail at the beginning of June. The idea came from Laurie Bates, wife of the Club's Commodore Anton, who had chosen Leukaemia Busters as his Commodore's charity for this year.

Jane's crew aboard her yacht Jolumina comprised her three daughters (Rowena, Lucy and Jo), daughter-in-law Susan and grand-daughters Alice (aged 13) and Lydia (aged 11). There was a reunion on 19th October, when the cheque was handed over to Bee and David Flavell, who founded the charity, at a special dinner.

Volvo Ocean Race skippers Neal and Lisa McDonald were also present to congratulate the five female skippers on their achievement.