A night event held in memory of a Queenstown mother whose death from breast cancer last year inspired friends to "love harder" raised more than $20,000.

The fundraising evening in memory of Louise Scott-Gallagher, who died in May last year, aged 42, raised just over $21,000 for Lou’s Foundation.

The Sip & Support event, held at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell on Friday night, drew 96 women and four very brave men, Mrs Scott-Gallagher’s close friend Highlands chief executive Josie Spillane said.

"We spent the night with an energy of love, loss, laughter, joy and dancing ...…