Musicians from all across the county have raised money for a disabilities charity.

Community groups throughout Dorset hosted music events for Diverse Abilities' Sing to Raise initiative.

This initiative saw local choirs, musicians, bands, pubs, clubs and supermarkets raise £1,800 for Diverse Abilities at a series of music events in May.

Nicole Warrilow, community fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, said: “The Sing to Raise initiative aimed to engage lots of different groups within the community, and over the month we have met various new people and welcomed back lots of familiar faces too; all eager to get involved and support our charity.

“We aimed to reach the whole of Dorset, and we had events stretching from Boscombe to Dorchester. We were thrilled with everyone’s enthusiasm and engagement.

"The Oddfellows pub in Wimborne dedicated their regular open mic night to us, and Paul Thomas and Brian Harries organised a Stage in the Square as the campaign launch.

"Ian Kennedy of the band Night Train organised a “five-a-day” busking tour and performed live at local shopping centre, Castlepoint in Bournemouth, with ska band, Total Madness and Brewery Square hosted a day of live music.

“All in all, it was a fantastic month and we were blown away by everyone’s efforts and thrilled by the amount raised, plus all the fantastic people we met along the way."

Seven soloists, eight bands, five choirs and one open mic night throughout May helped raise the money.

The month of music came to a close at Wimborne Square with a finale that featured Gracie Parks, Citrus Singers, Just Sing adult choir, Sound of Soul choir and Wavelength A Cappella choir.

The finale was sponsored by Wimborne BID and supported by Slick Events.

Diverse Abilities is a charity that supports children and adults with physical and learning disabilities.

It offers assistance, support and education services for more than 700 children and adults throughout Dorset.

Anyone interested in holding a music event for next year's Sing to Raise should get in contact at nicole.warrilow@diverseabilities.org.uk, call 01202 718266 or visit diverseabilities.org.uk/sing