CHRISTMAS may have gone but the goodwill continues.

Organisers of the Weymouth Christmas Sparkle which was held at the beginning of December are inviting charities and good causes to apply for a share of the money they raised.

Despite wind and rain on the night affecting turnout and some stallholders pulling out, £2,500 was raised from the late-night shopping and entertainment extravaganza.

This is £1,000 more than the inaugural event in 2010.

Chairman of Weymouth Christmas Sparkle Ryan Hope said the money was made up from stallholder pitches, proceeds of the raffle, street collections and the cash prize on the night, which the winner decided to hand back.

Sponsorship from Synergy Housing also kept costs down and is helping the committee to hand over a bumper amount to good causes.

A Christmas event for Weymouth was revived by the Rotary Club of Weymouth Harbourside and young member Ryan was nominated to co-ordinate the 2011 Sparkle.

He said: “With Weymouth Christmas Sparkle now behind us we’re now looking to share out the money among good causes.

“We’re hoping to make a difference to as many individuals and groups as we can. We want to support those who need help.

“The committee will consider all applications before making a decision and the money will be distributed at a presentation evening.”

Ryan said it was a ‘fantastic’ evening despite the poor weather which put a lot of people off including about half of the stallholders.

He said: “It’s always a risk when you organise an event in December but we can’t have Sparkle in summertime. We did have a great time despite the rain.”

Applications for funds can be made via email to RyanHope1991@googlemail.com or write to 108 Norfolk Road, Weymouth DT4 OPR.