FRIENDS of tragic Natalie Strickson, who died suddenly of a heart condition, raised £317 for Guardian Angels in her memory.

The fundraisers dressed as schoolgirls and held a pub crawl around York city centre with their collection buckets.

They included Emma and Claire Wallis, who worked with the 20-year-old at Happy Jays Nursery, at Clifton Moor, York, and Suzy Bedingham, whose son, Jack, was looked after by Natalie.

Natalie died at her home in Larch Way, Haxby, in November, after suffering a complication caused by her heart condition, pulmonary atresia.

Her family and friends have already raised £900 for the appeal, which aims to build a high dependency children's unit at York District Hospital.

Natalie, who was born with the condition, was treated many times at the hospital when she suffered infections, or for check-ups.

Fundraiser Suzy said: "Natalie was a wonderful person and we all miss her very much. We were very proud to do this for her and her family."

Staff at Selby and York Primary Care Trust, where Suzy works, also donated money to the campaign.

Updated: 10:54 Friday, January 20, 2006