A charity that brings music into the lives of sick children received a £2,000 donation from a supporter who organised a fund raising 'ladies' night' at Windsor Racecourse.

Rosie's Rainbow Fund organises visits by musicians to the hospital beds of children with trolleys full of instruments - as well as going to special needs schools.

It was set up by Carolyn Mayling - co-director of the world famous Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead - whose daughter Rosie died aged 11.

The 'ladies' night' was run by Oksana Artyomenko - who learned about the charity when her daughter was a pupil at Redroofs - and Mike Perry, with the support of the Berries Masonic Lodge. Oksana, her husband Alex and Mike handed the cheque for £2,000 to Carolyn.

Carolyn's charity has built an extraordinary reputation.

She said: "Music really is a great healer. It soothes children waiting for a serious operation. One boy had not got out of bed for months and was deeply depressed.

"The nurses were worried about him but he ended up getting out of bed and banging on the drums we had brought in."

Her charity also supports bereaved parents.

Carolyn is now planning to open a new Redroofs school in Windsor this September.