When two-year-old Samuel Lok was born he had a cleft lip. Worried about the problems it may cause him with speech and teeth growth, doctors decided to operate.

But Samuel's mum Fiona, 30, said it was the Sick Children's Trust, who run the Acorn Centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where Samuel was treated for five days, which made a real difference to the family.

Fiona, who lives in Abbots Way, Wellingborough, with husband Keith, 34, Samuel and son Joseph, five, said: "They provide out-of-this-world accommodation for families while their child is sick."

Although Samuel is now a normal, lively toddler, after the surgery it was vital that his parents didn't have to keep doing the two-hour round-trip from their home to the hospital.

Mrs Lok said: "It's quite traumatic to put your son through major surgery at such a young age. It was hard.

"After the operation he couldn't drink his milk and his arms had to be pinned down to stop him scratching. The best thing we could do was give him constant cuddles and lots of love."

When Mrs Lok discovered the trust received no government funding, she decided she wanted to give something back.

With fellow HSBC colleague Claire Vinton, she organised a Pampered Chef evening, which demonstrates top cooking equipment and recipes.

And, with support from Phoenix Cards, the event at St Mark's Church, Wellingborough, raised £350 – which HSBC then doubled.

St Mark's Church's congregation also raised a further £165 with a sponsored walk around the parish boundaries.

Mrs Lok decided to split the cash between the church and the charity.

She added: "It has changed me. Once you experience something like that as a parent, it does make you realise and appreciate things much more."

Community Fundraiser for the Sick Children's Trust Lydia Solomon said: "We were astounded by the commitment of Fiona Lok in raising such a fantastic amount."