MORE than one hundred people attended a 007-themed event complete with music made using ‘eye gaze’ technology.

Guests ‘dressed to kill’ as the James Bond-themed fundraising event, organised by St Mark’s CofE Primary School in Natland and held at Kendal Rugby Club, proved to be a ‘total success’.

Headteacher, Louise Hinton said the event was a total successHeadteacher, Louise Hinton said the event was a total success. (Image: St Mark’s CofE Primary School)

Everyone channelled their inner secret agent at the ‘glittering’ event on Saturday October 5.

The event, cleverly named ‘From Natland with Love’, featured an Auction of Promises, made up of a range of prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.

Thanks to generous donations, the auction provided the main focus of the event and raised £5,500 for the school.

The event raised money to expand the school's nursery provision.The event raised money to expand the school's nursery provision. (Image: St Mark’s CofE Primary School) The auction included ‘sought after’ Frank Bruno memorabilia, Kendal Calling tickets and a family photography session.

The money raised will go towards increasing and expanding St Mark’s nursery provision to include wraparound care.

Funding will also help provide better support to pupils with special educational needs by building more school spaces for vulnerable pupils to receive group work and one-to-one attention.

Guests danced the night away to music by DJ Oli, from Sandgate School, who mixes music from his wheelchair using a special ‘eye gaze’ computer.

Oli had everyone dancingOli had everyone dancing (Image: St Mark’s CofE Primary School) This incredible technology also allows Oli to communicate independently from his wheelchair.

After raising some money, guests also enjoyed a meal of pie and peas.

Headteacher Louise Hinton said: “I am overwhelmed by the success of the evening. Guests really enjoyed themselves and I can’t believe how much money was raised.

“This will enable to school to move forward with our plans for a new pod in our grounds where we can work with pupils in small groups far more easily. This will benefit our SEN children in particular.

“I am so grateful to the small team of people who made this happen. It was a huge amount of work, but it absolutely paid off.”

The event was organised by Becca Cartwright, Emma Hymas and Denise Conroy who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the evening.