Despite the downpours, members of the Dorchester Social Stroke Club set up camp in the town centre to have their voices heard on the work they do.

Set up outside Barclays Bank on South Street, the club spoke with passing members of the public on the work they do to help and support stroke survivors and their families.

As a self-funding group, members rely on grants from organisations and their own money-making initiatives to ensure a varied programme for their members, who meet on Thursday mornings in the Magna Housing residents hall on Lubbecke Way.

The soggy Saturday saw them selling raffle tickets for two fantastic prizes, a hamper donated by the Duchy of Cornwall, and a huge bar of chocolate courtesy of the House of Dorchester.

There was also an assortment of jams and preserves for sale, all made by Jill’s Jams, a club member with a penchant for producing delicious jams, marmalades and chutneys.

Determined to make Dorchester sit up and take notice, members of the club, ably assisted by two young men, Stefan and Tom, persevered for six hours to part people from their pound coins and raise the profile of their club.

This perseverance paid off, with the grand sum of £500 to show for all their hard work.

Team leader of the club, Anne Richards, said: “I need to offer heartfelt thanks to all those who turned out on a chilly Saturday in October to lend a hand and make the day a success.

"Without their dedication, events like this would not be possible. This was a valuable exercise, not just in fundraising, but in showing the people of our town all that we can offer stroke patients, their families, and carers.

"A stroke can be very debilitating, but life does not end there. We take them out of their homes, help restore their confidence, and give them a social life once more.”

The lucky winner of the hamper was Mrs Coleman from Dorchester with a Mr Clough from Weymouth the proud owner of an enormous bar of chocolate.

For more information about Dorchester Social Stroke Club contact Anne Richards on 07584 989703 or Jackie Sherfield on 01305 257464.