AN EPILEPSY sufferer determined to help others with the condition has lined up a host of exciting lots for a charity auction in Poundbury.

Alec Hodgson, from Dorchester , has been ‘relentless’ in his bid to put together a fantastic array of items to go under the hammer at the Engine Room restaurant in Poundbury Gardens on Thursday, September 27.

The 30-year-old, who has suffered from epilepsy since birth, is hoping to raise funds for Epilepsy Action UK as well as to promote awareness of the condition.

He said: “It’s going to be a fun evening and also somewhere people can come and chat together.”

Alec also helps run a local support group for people with epilepsy that meets on the third Monday of every night at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

As well as the auction there will be a raffle on the night and Alec has managed to collect a host of lots and items for the raffle worth more than £3,600 and counting after contacting local businesses.

They include a mountain bike worth £150, half a frozen Gloucester Old Spot pig, a designer leather handbag worth nearly £400 and a brown leather foot stool worth £350.

Alec said: “I decided to do this because I like antiques and auctions.”

Mum Angie added: “Alec has been relentless, nobody has said no to him.”

Alec works at Poundbury Gardens and said he was grateful to his boss, James Foster-Pegg, for offering up the Engine Room as a venue.

Garry Batt from local auctioneers Duke’s will be heading up the auction, which starts at 7pm. For more information call 01305 269918 or 07881 955311 or email alhod148@hotmail. co.uk

 

  • STAFF from Weymouth-based Agincare were among the adventurers taking part in a walking challenge in the Yorkshire Dales.

They joined other professionals from more than 30 UK care sector companies to walk Yorkshire’s three highest peaks in the national park in under 12 hours, a total of 26 miles.

The challenge was organised by Vicky and Paul Marsden, directors of recruitment company Health and Social Care Jobs.

The aim was to raise money for charity while also providing an opportunity for people from the sector to get together away from the workplace.

Agincare Chief executive Raina Summerson said: “The whole event was a great idea – good for meeting others, an excuse to raise money for a great charity but also a really positive team-building exercise. It was as much of a challenge getting people all the way up to Yorkshire but it was well worth the effort.”

Vicky Marsden said: “From the start, everyone hit it off and by the end of the weekend it was like we had known each other all our lives.”

More than £3,000 was raised for the Alzheimer’s Society.

 

  • GOLF enthusiasts are celebrating raising £6,300 for a Dorset cancer unit after being inspired by their friend.

More than 200 people descended on Ashley Wood Golf Club in Blandford for a golf day to raise money for the Fortuneswell unit at Dorset County Hospital .

The charity was chosen by golf fan Larry Thorne, while the annual golf fundraiser was organised by friend Gary Manson. Mr Thorne is currently being treated at the unit for lung, liver and bowel cancer.

He said he has been battling through with the support of his family including wife Debi and daughters Lauren, 19, and Ellen, 16. Keen golfer Mr Thorne, who played in the tournament, said he was currently undergoing chemotherapy.

He has shaved off his hair to pre-empt hair loss, a common side effect.