EIGHT local charities were awarded a shared total of £10,200 by a fundraising group from Weymouth.

Hangers Heroes is a local charity fundraising group that donates money to small charities in Dorset that struggle to raise funds themselves.

Nina Hanger, Vice President of the group, said: "The presentation event is held every February using the funds we have raised in the last year. What we do is we organise a couple of fundraising events and use the money gathered from these to support local charities.

"We all had a great evening presenting our beneficiaries with money from last years fundraising. A total of £10,200.00 was given out between eight different charities.

"Everyone was able to catch up with each others news, which is why I think this is so important. It is so useful as a community to talk to our benefactors and find out what is happening with them. The charities can share strategies and ideas for future campaigns and fundraising events.

The main fundraising event that Hangers Heroes organises is their challenge event, which consists of two races, a half marathon or full marathon, that participants can choose between.

Last year’s challenge highest fundraiser, raising £334, and the highest fundraising team, that raised £485, were presented with their trophies and discount vouchers kindly donated by Great Western Camping at the awards evening.

During the evening Hangers Heroes also launched their new fundraising event mini challenge that will take place on September 14. This would be a choice of a 10k or half marathon for people to enter either as a walker or runner.

Mrs Hanger said: "There are still a few things to finalise, however we should be able to accept entries by the end of March."

Chrissie Payne, Chairwoman of M.V.Freedom, said: "We received a £500 donation from the local charity fundraisers Hangers Heroes. I was delighted to accept and congratulated Hangers Heroes on their wonderful achievement of raising £10.200.00 in the past year, which was split between eight local charities."