Guests at a black-tie ball held recently in east Suffolk have been thanked for raising almost £7,000 to help develop a breakthrough cancer vaccine.

Iken cyclist Emma Johnson hosted the Rock Ride Ball last month as part of her plans to raise £10,000 in aid of Against Breast Cancer. Her charitable efforts will culminate in a 1,500 mile sponsored bike ride next summer.

The total tally raised at the event, held at Hungarian Hall, near Woodbridge, has now been finalised as £6,970.

“I would like to thank everyone who played a part in helping to make it a very special evening,” she said.

The 34-year-old competitive club rider for the Ipswich based Elmy Cycles will be setting off from Gibraltar in June with a group of charitable cyclists to cover the 1,500 miles to Buckinghamshire.

She suffered a setback in October when thieves stole three of her bikes.

Visit www.justgiving.com/magicrockrider to sponsor.