AN outpouring of tears and words signalled the end of Laura-Lucrezia Zarola’s 12-hour sponsored silence on Sunday, which raised nearly £400.

The 23-year-old wanted to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and support fundraising friend Chris Rust, who is attempting to climb Kilimanjaro for the charity.

He needs to raise £4,250 before next February to be able to take part in the trip, but fundraising had stalled.

Laura, a customer advisor with Prepay Solutions, in Gloucester Street, kept silent from 7am and until an emotional family meal 12 hours later.

“It’s the hardest thing for me to remain quiet when I’m sat around the table for a family meal,” she said.

“I burst into tears when I had got to 12 hours. It’s so emotional when you have got in your mind why you’re doing it.

“There’s my nan, my uncle who’s currently suffering with it and my boyfriend’s sister-in-law’s dad are going through it.

“Chris was there with me, right from 7am until 7pm."

The Osborne Street resident’s day began with her routine zumba class and followed with a four-hour stint at Harris + Hoole in Ocotal Way’s Tesco.

She said she received numerous donations throughout the day from people she didn’t even know.

By the end of the day she had raised £350, with the total rising still this week as donations continue to come in.