The Grand Charities Fair organised by Wimborne in Bloom was a big success with 24 local charities and organisations taking part and 500 people attending throughout the day.

Held in the Allendale Centre, a total of £4,000 was raised for causes represented by the charities.

Stalls included those raising money for Cystic Fibrosis, Save the Children, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and one of the mayor’s charities High Mead Farm.

Wimborne in Bloom also had a successful table with three hampers as prizes.

Entrance was free, courtesy of Wimborne in Bloom, but the public generously donated over £140 on the door.

Richard Nunn, chairman of Wimborne said: “Like so many other organisations ‘testing the water with their events’ we really didn’t know what the response to our annual Charities Fair would be either from the charities and, very importantly, the public.  We needn’t have worried – the support was superb and Wimborne in Bloom is so fortunate for this. Thank you all and now we can look forward to a full year of events in 2022 which is our 30th anniversary year.”

The first event of 2022 will be the annual Wine and Wisdom Fun Quiz Evening. This will take place on Friday 4 March in the Allendale Centre when teams of six will pit their wits against each other to try and win the coveted Eco-Composting Shield.

Next year’s Charities Fair has been booked for Saturday 12 November.