Ladies Alive group gives away £2,500 cash (From Dorset Echo)

Ladies Alive group gives away £2,500 cash

5:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Rachel Stretton

A WEYMOUTH fund-raising group has given a boost to a string of good causes.

Ladies Alive has donated a total of £2,500 to a number of local groups and charities around the area.

Its nine members have been fundraising all year with events and sponsored activities before choosing which causes to donate to.

Susan-Jane Smith chose to support South Dorset Prostate Cancer Support Group after a member of her family was diagnosed with the condition earlier in the year.

She said: “We each had £350 to donate to our chosen groups.

“I gave all mine to the prostate support group in Dorset because my family has unfortunately been affected by prostate cancer and it’s sadly quite overlooked. It helps families coping with the trauma of this potentially devastating disease and men who are dealing with it on their own.

“It’s scary how serious it can be, it doesn’t pick and choose and it hits you like a sledgehammer.

“In a good way it made me want to raise funds for this good cause.”

She added: “We raise the money throughout the year in various ways, one lady did the Iron Man, and I held tombola and other events.

“We always put on the carnival ball and carnival queen events.

“Every so often we will build up so much money and give it out to people who need it.

Mrs Smith said the people of the Weymouth area are great for fundraising.

She said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who support us on a regular basis – there are a lot of generous people in this area.”

The group supported a number of local good causes, including Weymouth and Portland Food Bank, Rushton Dog Rescue Charity, Action for Children, Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care, South Dorset Prostate Cancer Support Group, The Island Community Action Group, special care baby unit at Dorchester Hospital, Weldmar Hospice and Julia's House Children’s Hospice.

Katie Pasco, of The Island Community Action Group, said they are delighted to receive the extra funds.

She said: “This donation was much needed to help elderly and vulnerable people on Portland.”