VISITORS to this year’s Weymouth Carnival and Air Show are being urged to make a small gesture that will go a long way.

Keen to ensure as much money is raised as possible for good causes, the team behind next week’s spectacular are inviting people to contribute to the £1 for carnival appeal.

Everyone who donates at the collection points along the seafront will receive a special ‘I’ve donated £1 to carnival sticker’ to recognise their gesture.

The donation is of course on a voluntary basis but organisers from the town’s Rotary Clubs hope people will dig deep and make the move.

Roger Hogbin from the carnival committee said: “Weymouth Carnival costs more than £60,000 to run and all money is raised by things like voluntary donations, draw ticket and programme sales with everything left over going to local good causes.

“The carnival is free to visitors so all we are asking is that they all donate £1 to help with costs.”

Committee chairman Shaun Hennessy added: “The tireless work the carnival committee puts in never ceases to amaze me and I hope that all visitors show their thanks by helping us keep the event alive by contributing to our £1 for carnival appeal.”

Meanwhile, float entries are continuing to flood in to take part in next Wednesday’s carnival.

Among the businesses which are supporting the carnival by entering a float is Weymouth fancy dress store The Party Shop, which has been involved with the event for the last seven years.

Owner Jan O’Brien, who led a successful campaign last year to bring back the floats to the carnival, is hoping to reclaim the glory this year.

She said: “We’re all so passionate about the carnival because of the sense of community spirit and the national publicity it receives.”

Jan is not giving anything away about the design of their float entry.

She said: “It’s a big secret, a bit like New Year’s Eve, and we want it to be a big surprise.

“We all put in our own ideas at the start when we begin making decisions about the design. It takes a long time and manpower to build.”

For details visit: weymouthcarnival.co.uk

RAF to appear

THERE’LL be an extra attraction at this year’s Weymouth Carnival – the RAF Town Show.

The RAF returns to Weymouth for the 10th year running from Tuesday to Thursday next week.

The show will allow members of the public to see and talk to personnel about their experiences in the service as well as being able to get a feel for the equipment.

Personnel from the RAF’s Careers Information Service will be also be at the Town Show to provide details about career opportunities.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council tourism spokesman Andy Blackwood said: “We are delighted to welcome the RAF Town Show back to Weymouth.

“We appreciate their continued support during our carnival period and their sponsorship of the blockbusting RAF Careers Beach Volleyball Classic on Weymouth Beach in July.

“It always fills me with admiration that our armed forces not only defend our country’s interests with their lives but support its peace time activities too.”

The show will set up outside Weymouth Pavilion on Tuesday from 2pm-5pm, on carnival day from 10am-5pm and on Thursday from 10am-12pm.