SUPERHEROES and comic book stars who occupied the town led to £4,295 being donated to a worthy case.

The founder of Invasion Colchester, Simon Leonard, and ACE Comics owner Kerrie Williams, who organised the popular event, presented a cheque for the amount to the hospice nurses at St Helena Hospice in Colchester.

Mr Leonard first set up the event in 2011 to raise money to support pioneering lung treatment, which saved his life.

Since then, the event has raised thousands of pounds for organisations such as the Colchester Hospitals Charity which supports a number of medically-related causes including the Cancer Centre Campaign and the Time Garden appeal.

Kerrie said: “St Helena Hospice helps so many people in different ways every year in our community.

“Many people know someone who has been supported in some way, which is why we choose to support the hospice each year.”

The grand total also included the sponsorship from Laura Williams’s skydive in September.

The 31-year-old veterinary nurse, from Colchester, jumped out of a plane in memory of her mother-in-law.

Toni Knights, community fundraising partnerships manager at St Helena Hospice, paid tribute to the fundraisers.

She said: “We’re extremely grateful to Invasion Colchester for their continued support.

“It was a fantastic event generously supported by our community.

“This huge amount could help pay for 28 bereavement sessions, giving a supportive, listening ear to someone whose loved one has died.”