A Harpenden woman, who lost her mother to cancer, has raised £55,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Caroline Jones raised the money by wearing a different second-hand outfit from Cancer Research UK every day for a year.

Known as the ‘Knickers Model’s Own’ project, Caroline's fundraiser led to a book called ‘A Year of Frugal Fashion’, securing several awards and will now be discussed in a podcast series called 'What Have I Done?'

The series talks about inspiring stories of nine other fundraisers who collectively raised more than £1million for charities.

Caroline said: "Very often, with successful fundraisers, there's no plan, no campaign strategy and no marketing team – it's a one-man or woman fundraising band.

"So, I hope the podcast is an inspiring listen for anyone thinking of taking on their own challenge, and for the wider charity sector to understand what it takes to work alongside an often fast-paced campaign.

"I really want the charity sector to listen and learn from these exceptional fundraisers and connect with them and their donors. I think it gives a different perspective because we are not employed by the charities."

The idea for the podcast came during the Covid lockdown.

She said: “I found myself ruminating and thinking I can’t be the only one who was served a really curved ball and the spin-off from doing that little thing changed my life.

“Fundraising is hard work and behind every person is a story, one the podcast unravels and explores.”

The series will include stories from Phil Heckels, who raised more than £170,000 for a charity dedicated to ending homelessness by selling his self-proclaimed "rubbish" pet portraits, and Leah Chowdhry, the first British Asian woman to take on the task of swimming the English Channel, raised £50,000 for the British Asian Trust during her 13-hour swim.

Podcast episodes will be released every Monday, with the last one airing on March 4.

Julie Byard, director of Trading for Cancer Research UK, said: "We’re very grateful for Caroline’s dedication to Cancer Research UK. Her pre-loved outfit challenge highlighted how our supporters can find unique items whilst also getting value for money in our shops.

“Caroline’s story is an example of how our volunteers can make a positive difference to people affected by cancer."