IT’S time to gather your betting chips for a casino night of fundraising for two Dorset Charities.

Local companies and businesses are being urged to lend their support for the black tie event this Saturday at Haven Holiday Park on Preston Road, which will raise money for Preston Pre-School and the Dorset Deaf Children’s Society.

There are still tickets available and organiser Jacqui Atkinson, 33, who lives in Sutton Poyntz and has three children, is urging everyone to get involved.

She said: “So far for the casino event we've sold 100 tickets but are hoping for a final push this week.

“Everyone has been really positive about it and there is a great buzz surrounding the event which is fantastic.

“There are still plenty of tickets available so please do come on down. A live band will be performing, there will be a professional photo booth and guests will get a complimentary drink.

“The night will be at the Haven Holiday Park in Preston Road, Weymouth Bay, and we have been given free use of their ballroom.

“We’re also still looking for local companies to cover the cost of a casino table through sponsorship, and the company name would then be displayed on and around the casino table and on all marketing material.

Jacqui has organised the event with the help of Jo Withers, manager at Preston Pre-School. Jo said: “We’re aiming to raise over £1,000 to help the pre-school and the deaf children’s society.

“When I took over the pre-school there were six children here and we were struggling to stay open. Now there are 35, which is fantastic.”

Tickets to the event are £10 per person. Call Jo Withers on 07595 536748 or visit the Black Tie Casino Night page on Facebook.

JOE IS THE FUNDRAISING INSPIRATION

Jacqui and Jo say that fundraising inspiration came from three-year-old Joe Cartwright, who attends Preston Pre-School.

Joe is severely hard of hearing and had cochlear implants – an implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing – fitted when he was 18 months old.

Preston Pre-School is a registered charity providing care for children from two-years-old until school age.

The school is run by an elected committee which ensures that the major decision making is in the hands of the parents who use the school.

Joe is also a member of the Dorset Deaf Children’s Society, a charity which provides grants, equipment and information for hearing-impaired children and their families.