Dorchester Agricultural Society raises £16,500 for hospital’s Cancer Appeal

The money was raised through a charity auction held by the society for its members and the local community. The event, named ‘An Auction of Promises’, attracted 380 guests who had the opportunity to bid on 45 exclusive lots donated by local businesses, which included two European holidays, pottery lessons and professional catering for a dinner party of 10. The top 15 lots were auctioned off by Garry Batt of Duke’s Auctions, based in Dorchester.

All of the auction’s proceeds have been donated to the hospital’s Cancer Appeal, which has created a Cancer and Haematology Outpatients Department, built on top of the new Radiotherapy Unit at Dorset County Hospital.

Will Hyde, show secretary, said, “We were keen to support Dorset County Hospital in raising funds for their latest appeal. We are grateful for all our members and people from the community, who came together to help us raise this tremendous amount of money for a vital service.

“This is a cause that is close to everyone’s hearts and we are proud to have played our part in helping them reach their target. I’m sure that we all understand the crucial support and services that the hospital provides. It was important to us to raise the funds required to enable the hospital to continue to help a large number of people in the county.”

Simon Pearson, head of fundraising at Dorset County Hospital, added, “This is a tremendous achievement and we are grateful to everyone who has supported the Appeal over the past two and a half years. Hundreds of local people and many organisations and community groups have made generous donations and run amazing fundraising events on our behalf. We would like to thank them all – we couldn’t have done it without your help.”

Dorchester Agricultural Society was formed in 1840 and is responsible for organising some of Dorset’s most recognisable agricultural events, including Dorset County Show, which attracts 60,000 people across the two-day event, taking place on September 7 and 8, 2019.