The abiding desire of Lauren Colchester was to make people happy and bring a “bit of magic into the world.”

East Anglian Daily Times: One of the people taking part in the Enchanted Trail in Nowton Park. Picture: MY WISH CHARITYOne of the people taking part in the Enchanted Trail in Nowton Park. Picture: MY WISH CHARITY (Image: Archant)

So she set up the Enchanted Trail in the walled garden of Nowton Park which has raised £3,544 for the My WiSH Charity and its WiSH Upon A Star appeal.

An estimated 500 parents and children visited the trail which raised the bulk of the money with further funds coming via a raffle and donations.

Lauren, who lives in Tuddenham, set it up with the help of her mother-in-law Dianne Colchester and close friend Judith Penfold.

The 30-year-old, who works as a software tester for Capita, in Eastern Way, Bury St Edmunds, said: I’m absolutely over the moon that we managed to raise this amount. I was treated at West Suffolk for breast cancer two years ago and I really wanted to give something back so I am so grateful to all of those who helped make this event happen and to everyone who came along and made the day such a success.

East Anglian Daily Times: Some trail stones used in the Enchanged Trail in Nowton Park. Picture: MY WISH CHARITYSome trail stones used in the Enchanged Trail in Nowton Park. Picture: MY WISH CHARITY (Image: Archant)

“I just wanted to make people happy and I often thought about my childhood so I wanted to raise money for the charity but to also bring a bit of magic into the world.”

She said she also wanted to pay thanks to The Crafty Foxes; Redwoods Forest Pre School, Suffolk’s first fully outdoor pre-school; Emma Mordue and her friends and family for giving up their time to help make her idea come to life.

The trail featured an array of specially designed houses and fairies, goblins, trolls, gnomes and pixies situated in the walled garden of the park on the outskirts of Bury.

And it was on April 29 that the fairies of Nowton Park cast their magic spells for the children who attended. There were also craft activities on the day which added to the attraction along with a woodland photo booth, face painting, storytelling and stalls.

Lauren is at high risk of her cancer returning as she suffers from a genetic mutation of the complaint called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome which puts her at high risk of all cancers.

She is one of the first people to be treated at the West Suffolk Hospital for the illness and has a yearly MRI scan to monitor her health.

She wanted to repay the hospital for their care and dedication and especially donate money to the appeal which helps to treat children across all areas of the hospital.

“It’s heartbreaking to see some of the suffering people have to put up with but especially the children,” she added.