A GROUP of nursery mums from Penarth have raised more than £500 for the children's hospice Ty Hafan by holding a pop-up Turkish restaurant in the town centre.

Andrea Williams, Zara Kaplan, Nicky Harris and Kate J McDonald, who works for Ty Hafan, hosted the charity night at BJ's Burger Joint and Juice Bar on Glebe Street last Friday.

Andrea Williams, who helped organise the night, said: "Zara Kaplan was taught to cook Turkish food by her late father Sami.

"Her passion and love for food is incredible, so we thought that this could be a great way to raise money by setting up a Turkish pop-up restaurant.

"Kaplan’s Kitchen was launched on Friday night at BJ’s Burger Joint and Juice Bar in Penarth.

"It consisted of a delicious three course banquet with everything homemade."

She added that they would like to thank all the local businesses that donated towards the fundraising night.

"We raised £543.65 through a lot of hard work and a great team effort," she said.

"Most of all it was the support of Cardiff and Penarth’s local businesses.

"We want to thank them all for their generosity and kindness.

"Ben, the owner of BJ’s, was happy to give us this fantastic venue and also support us on the night.

"Steve from www.EmbryoDesign.co.uk made our invites which were used for the advertising.

"Trish and Mike from Windsor Fruits in Windsor Arcade donated all the fresh fruit, vegetables and spices which made a massive difference to the final amount raised.

"ASDA in Cardiff Bay donated a £25 voucher, Costco donated the lamb used in the Tagine and Paul from www.gwiliamevents.com helped us to light up the venue."

She added that the night was a huge success.

"Zara had a standing ovation for the night and her food had rave reviews as everyone that came to support us on the night loved the food, atmosphere and the raffle.

"We were overwhelmed by the support from the local businesses for the raffle prizes that we wanted to thank them all individually.

"www.wedohairsalon.com in High St Arcade, Cardiff, donated a £70 voucher

"Thompson Butchers in Penarth £10 voucher

"Barnums Toy Shop in Penarth £10 voucher

"Mario from Lazarou Hair donated hair products

"Darren from Pressed Express donated a £25 Door 2 Door ironing voucher

"Nicola from Calm 4 You, Reiki & Reflexology ,donated a £25 gift voucher

"Carol and Conrad from Sew Lovely came on the night and donated a beautiful gift for the raffle

"Zone Play on Penarth Road donated a family pass with food

"www.ushis.co.uk in Cowbridge donated a Candle & Diffuser Set."

She added: "There were many more that we will thank on our facebook page Kaplan’s Kitchen. Keep following our page to see when our next event is on."