Athletes hand out fun run cash
ROYAL Manor of Portland AC treasurer Andy De Havilland welcomed members and guests from charitable organisations and groups which help the club in annual events to a social and cheque presentation evening.

The evening was held at South Portland Conser-vative Club where Mr Havilland told the gathering: “Some of these organisations give us considerable help with our activities while others provide valuable services to the community.

“I also extend a warm welcome to the race volunteers who give their time and commitment on race days for without them we would have no races.”

Jan Dumble presented a cheque for £1,175 to Caroline Nickinson from the Weldmar Hospice Trust and this represented the proceeds of this year’s Dumble Bimble Fun Runs with the addition of donations given to RMPAC members Dave and Kath Sanderson who had requested that donations for this purpose should be made instead of gifts to celebrate their Golden Wedding.

Cheques from the proceeds of the Portland Ten 2012 were presented by Andy De Havilland to representatives of Portland St John Ambulance, Portland Youth Centre, Wyke Rangers, Wey-mouth and Portland Friends of Chernobyl’s Children, Portland YMCA, Portland Coast-watch and Portland United FC.

 

Former head girl to work in Mexico
FORMER Colfox head girl Lucie Trollope is heading off to Mexico to help on community projects.

The 18-year-old is a young leader with 1st Bothen-hampton Guides and is working towards her leadership qualification.

She was so impressed with the work of the volunteer guides at the Guide Centre in India when she visited in 2010 that she applied to do a season volunteering at the World Centre in in Mexico.

Now she needs to raise money to raise £880 towards the air fare.

Lucie said: “I have been lucky enough to have been selected along with three other young guiders, and will be the only one representing the UK.”

Lucie will be working on community projects from December 17 to April 30 next year.

She will also be involved in running activity programmes for visiting guides and guiders from around the world.

Through cake sales and boot sales and organising childrens' parties, Lucie has so far been able to raise £200.

But, with time running out, she appealed to local charity Bridport Young Persons' Action Trust for some help.

BYPAT chairman Arthur Woodgate said: “The response from BYPAT members was almost immediate, and very, very positive.

“Given the increasing demands being made on our modest budget, we agreed to contribute £150 towards Lucie's air fare.

“This then increased to £175 when we learned a bit more about her.

Mr Woodgate stated that they would consider contributing additional funding should the need arise, but was very hopeful that other local organisations would also be prepared to help out.

For further information about the BYPAT Charity and its work, contact Arthur Woodgate on 01308 423767 or a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com

 

GROTTO AIDS WELDMAR TRUST
A CHARITY is hoping Santa will bring them festive cheer by setting up a grotto in Poundbury.

Father Christmas will be setting up shop every weekend in December at the Poundbury Garden Centre in aid of the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Community fundraiser for the charity, Mark Howlett, said: “This is an event that is organised by the garden centre every year, and it’s great fun.

“The kids get to meet Santa and the parents are supporting a good local charity.”

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the trust, which provides services for people suffering from cancer and other long-term diseases, and their families.

Father Christmas will be in the grotto every Saturday and Sunday in December, up until Sunday, 23, from 11am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.

He will also be there on Friday, 21, from 2pm to 4pm. Visits cost £5 per child and include a gift.

And on Thursday, December 13, he will be accompanied by his furry friends when the reindeer fly in for a visit.

The event from 5pm to 8pm costs £10 and includes time with Santa and the reindeer, a gift and a hot chocolate.

 

Cash boost for Footprints Project to start mentoring A SCHEME helping ex-offenders get back on track has been given a major cash injection.

The Dorchester-based Footprints Project has received £2,000 from The Co-Operative’s Community Fund.

The money will help cover mentoring costs for its service supporting ex-offenders.

The Community Fund is created by members of The Co-operative Group who elect to donate all or part of their twice-yearly dividend payments to local community projects.

Jane Barkes, from The Footprints Project, said: “We are extremely grateful to The Co-operative for this cash boost as it has helped to secure our mentoring service in the area.

“The support we provide for ex-offenders has helped to reduce reoffending and improve the lives of those who have served their time so we really appreciate this financial backing.”

Fay Bowden, from The Co-operative’s membership team for Dorset, said: “Because our members own the business, they get a share in any of the profits we make.

“It’s a scheme we’re very proud of, not only because it gives us the chance to thank members for shopping with us, but because so many people choose to give something back to local communities.”

For more information about the Co-Operative’s Community Fund and for an application form visit www.co-operative.coop/ communityfund or call 0844 2624001.