CHARITY bosses are appealing for donations following the cancellation of a black tie fundraising event.

The Chesil Trust, which this year has enabled 1,000 people to go sailing, is counting the cost after a charity ball in its name had to be dropped due to a lack of ticket sales.

The £60-per-ticket event was due to be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Trust chairman David Dunn said: "We are truly sorry that the ball is unable to go ahead. Months ago we agreed that the Chesil Trust would be the title charity for the ball.

"It is a great shame because the funds raised would have enabled us to continue the excellent work of the trust in assisting young and disabled people to get out on the water, many for the first time.

"This year we have enabled more than 1,000 people to experience the thrill of sailing, but this is a costly exercise, and without continued fundraising initiatives, it will be difficult to continue to do this."

Event organiser Elizabeth Gould, of Gavi de Gavi event management, said the cancellation had left her at least £1,000 out of pocket due to ticket refunds and the deposit owed to the sailing academy.

Mark Stubbings, who is chief executive of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, said: "It is a great shame that the ball is not going ahead, and we are sorry that the organisers are out of pocket.

"As a not for profit organisation, the sailing academy receives no revenue funding and therefore has to operate like any other small business.

"It is our policy always to ask for deposits for functions at the time of booking due to the high level of demand for our services."

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Chesil Trust charity can send a donation to Rupert Edwards at Edwards and Keeping, Unity Chambers, 34 High East Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1HA.