A generous sum of money has been donated to a number of charities, which help to improve people’s lives in Dorset.

Money raised from this year’s Dorchester Marathon and Casterbridge Half Marathon was presented to charities including Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, at a celebration evening at The Corn Exchange in Dorchester on Wednesday, September 27.

More than £13,000 was raised from the two sporting events and £6000 was handed out to charities during the evening.

One of the charities that received a cheque was Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance which was presented to the charities fundraising co-ordinator for Dorset, Leanne Colverson.

She welcomed the donation and said: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for helping to raise this money. It really does make a difference and helps to keep the air ambulance flying.”

The event was attended by charity representatives, local councillors and volunteers from the sporting events, including the marshals.

John Adams, a member of Casterbridge Rotary which helped to organise the sporting events, said: “You should all be very proud of what you have achieved. It took around 200 volunteers to make the marathon and half marathon happen and we really couldn’t have done it without you”

“It was a special event because it not only brought the community together to put on a high-quality sporting occasion, but uniquely gave athletes the opportunity to come to an enjoyable event over a whole weekend rather than just a marathon. We managed to combine a nationally recognised marathon with an enjoyable weekend in glorious West Dorset and supported the local economy by bringing around 4,000 extra people to our county town”

John added: “Casterbridge Rotary Club will be announcing in the next few weeks how other local charities and good causes can apply for a share of the profits from the event. This will be widely advertised in the local press, radio and on the Dorchester Marathon website.”