ORGANISERS have handed over the final proceeds from a popular annual festival held at a west Dorset pub.

Mark and Emily Hammick held the 2012 Charity Poultry Auctions at the Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton.

They have since sold the pub but have presented the proceeds to their nominated charities. A donation of £5,044 went to Julia’s House children’s hospice and £2,750 to The Dorset Kidney Fund.

Emily said: “Steve Rossiter, a great helper at the auction, and I went to have a look around Julia’s House and to present them the cheque. “It was a wonderful place, so inspiring. As well as having the house, they also have nurses who drive round the county helping families.”

The Julia’s House money will be used to fund residential weekends where children can come and stay from Friday to Sunday. Emily added: “I think they said that it costs £1,800 for one weekend and had to cut some of these last year due to lack of funding.”

Emily and Steve presented the cheque to Di Pestell of Julia’s House.

A spokesman for the Dorset Kidney Fund said: “The money will be put to good use in paying for the wi-fi connection to the Yeovil Dialysis Unit, plus other necessary items for the renal unit.”