AN ANTIQUES evening will launch a major fundraising campaign to help those in need in the Dorchester area.

The Dorchester, Sherborne and District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is launching a drive to raise £24,000 to meet growing demand for its services in and around the county town.

Manager Daniel Cadisch said that, as a registered charity, the CAB received no funding from central govern-ment and relies from a range of support from various organisations.

He said that the campaign is aimed at raising vital funds.

Mr Cadisch said: “The total target is £24,000, half of which would establish a mental health advisor working from the Dorchester office, while the other half would fund a home visiting specialist to help those people unable to visit the office due to disability, illness or lack of transport.”

The CAB does receive some funding from West Dorset District Council as well as support from Macmillan Cancer Support, Wessex Water, the MS Society, parish councils and individuals including previous clients.

However, its workload has increased by 24 per cent over the last year and it requires more than 100 volunteers and 24 paid staff to manage the demand.

As part of the fundraising campaign the first big event will be an Antiques Evening held in the Town Hall at the Corn Exchange from 7pm on Friday, June 6.

Tickets are available from Tourist Information Centres in Dorchester and Sherborne, the Walnut Grove in Durngate Street, Dorchester, and the Oxfam shop in South Street, Dorchester as well as the CAB offices in Acland Road, Dorchester and the Julia’s House charity shop in South Street.

New mayor of Dorchester Peter Mann - who is also chair of the trustees of the Dorchester, Sherborne and Districts CAB - will open the evening and there will be a presentation on antiques from Matthew Denney of Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorchester who will be valuing objects brought along