A CAMPAIGN to help Cancer Research UK fund vital research has already raised £20,000 - twice the original estimate.

Two young cows and three livestock embryos have been auctioned in aid of the charity and two yearling donkeys are due to be sold online later this month.

One of the cows was owned by New Forest commoner Katie Ferrett, whose uncle, lifelong Saints supporter Rob Ferrett, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Rob, a 65-year-old HGV driver from Hamble, is undergoing treatment at University Hospital Southampton.

The cow, Hope, was sold at Frome Livestock Market in Somerset and initially raised £2,100. But the buyer put her back into the auction and her next new owner did the same, with the three sales netting a total of £5,200.

The other cow, Charity, which was donated by Winchester farmer Tom Comley, sold only once and raised £950.

The three embryos, donated by Dave Coombes, of Cedar Farm vets in Crow Arch Lane, Ringwood, had earlier been auctioned for a total of £500.

Collections and private donations have helped take the total raised so far to £20,000 - twice the amount that had been forecast by Rob's brother Mark.

He said: "We can't believe how much has come in - it's a fantastic achievement and I'm delighted for everyone has been involved in the project."

Announcing the total on social media he added: "I didn't think we were going to get anywhere near this - it's been a journey of success.

"Now the big challenge for me personally is to support my brother and his family. I know he's going to beat this because he's a strong bloke."

The two donkeys, donated by Cadnam commoner James Penny, will be available online between February 21 and March 1. Visit the Symonds & Sampson website.