A BIT of forward planning is being called for on the island, for while many of us are embroiled in summertime fundraising activities, some charities are looking to the winter months ahead.

New ideas of what they can offer in the way of entertaining, fundraising/ social events is what most are looking for and I have been asked to help.

I can only dig up things I used to organise in the past, both here on Portland and elsewhere and I have to say that, with willing helpers from the charities concerned, these always provided fun and funds.

For the many years that Portland Carnival was held, I organised a fashion parade at the Heights Hotel with garments supplied by the two boutiques and a dress shop then trading in Easton and, on two occasions, larger stores in Weymouth supplied the goods.

On a smaller scale, I organised fashion parades individually for the Sue Ryder charity shop which was in Straits and the Salvation Army when they had a small shop fronting Easton Shopping Centre.

These were extremely popular with local ladies – and men – modelling the clothes and accessories and at the end of the parade most of the goods found ready buyers – a good night for the charity and the audience!

On a smaller scale, the source of goods can be found among the fundraisers themselves who can model their own no- longer-wanted garments and raise a tidy little sum which, in my case, was sufficient to provide football strips for our youngsters’ team and also boxed games for a youth club.

I have held cake and home-baking auctions in many places and, with the wealth of talent in this direction here on the island, the couple I have run here have provided a tasty result.

So there you have it and if you need any help or advice on organising just call me, for even if I don't see so well I still have the gift of the gab as compere or auctioneer!