A Dorchester store did a little more than get crafty when it set its sights on raising money for a valuable charity.

Crafty Gift Boutique on Trinity Street raised nearly £2,000 for Dorset Mind.

Managing director of the store, Cheryl Warburton - generously supported by her traders - put together three hampers containing stunning handmade gifts from her shop. She then sold raffle tickets to friends and customers and three lucky winners walked away with the unique prizes.

Selling tickets between October and December last year, Cheryl managed to raise the incredible sum of £1,849. She is no stranger to fundraising events, and was delighted to present a cheque for this amount to Dorset Mind.

She said: "It has been a pleasure to raise money for Dorset Mind, a charity close to the hearts of many of my traders, and indeed a charity that was chosen by the traders themselves.”

Dee Swinton from Mind Dorset and their project manager Louise Regan popped into the Crafty Gift Boutique to pick up the cheque. Louise said: “What a massive boost this is for our plans to expand into West Dorset, starting with Dorchester itself. Donations like this mean we shall be able to implement initial services in the county town in the near future.”

Dorset Mind is a mental health charity that has been supporting local people with mental health difficulties since 1946. It aims to educate, challenge stigma and provide support towards peoples’ wellbeing and recovery from mental ill health in Dorset.

For more information about the charity visit dorsetmind.uk or for Crafty Gift Boutique visit craftygiftboutique.com