Sally Roberts

Sally Roberts, the former headteacher of St Peters School who died a year ago, would have been “touched” by the efforts of her fundraising friends, her husband has said.

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The Sid Valley’s Rally for Sally, organised to raise cash for causes close to Sally’s heart, has so far raised £7,000 in her memory,

A group of twentysomething pals, including Sally’s son Sam, posed for a naked calendar, organised a summer fun-day and took on a sponsored walk.

Mum of three Sally (pictured) died from cancer in January aged 52, and the bid to raise money for Force and Children’s Hospice South West in her honour began soon after.

“I’m very touched and moved they have gone to so much trouble and effort,” said Sally’s husband Jeremy.

“Everybody’s effort has been fantastic.

“Sally would have loved the spirit of fun in which they have conducted the whole thing. It would have touched her too.”

Nearly 90 people braved monsoon conditions to attend an auction dinner at Sidmouth Sailing Club in November which raised more than £2,000.

Prizes included rugby boots signed by England star Matt Banahan and signed photos from racing driver Jenson Button.

The rally has so far netted £6,929 and counting. One of its organisers, Hope Brodie, said her highlight was a “moving” balloon release held at a summer fun-day for people to remember their loved ones.

Hope issued a “huge thank you” for all the support shown to the bid.

“The help we got for the event back in the summer at the rugby club was indescribable, and the support and donations the boys got on the walk along the Jurassic Coast was amazing.

“Thank you to all those who donated prizes for raffles, the auction lots that were given and all the hard workers who helped pull this year together. None of this would have happened without all those special people.”

Copies of the naked calendar are still on sale at Taste, Polka, Upper Crust and Sambatis – or they can be ordered direct from Hope by emailing her at hopebrodie@hotmail.co.uk