A SIMPLE idea of displaying customer’s unwanted books and videos in Bridport Co-operative has helped raise £1,884.

As a result the Sea Road North store handed over a cheque to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance after just ten weeks of running the scheme.

Retail Skills Trainer Lyn Williams saw the idea in another store and initiated the scheme which is supervised by Trena Parker. Customers are bringing in books, videos and DVDs they no longer require which are displayed on tables near the cheque out tills and people are encouraged to take anything they fancy in exchange for a 50p donation per item.

Store manager Rob Garland said: “It’s amazing how well it’s gone. The stall needs no managing except topping up with items, and we are pleased that we are able to help raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance which is such a worthwhile charity.”

The cheque was presented to Annette Plaistow-Trapaud, the charity’s fund raising co-ordinator in store last Friday.

She said: We are very grateful to Bridport Co-op for their generous donation with such a simple, novel scheme. It costs £3,800 a day to keep the helicopter in the air, and so this money is invaluable towards the cost of keeping it flying.”

The store will continue to run the scheme until at least Christmas.

“With Christmas coming up it is a way of obtaining cheap stocking fillers,” added Mr Garland.
“If anybody has any unwanted good condition items which they wish to donate, we will be pleased to put them on display.”

PICTURE: GREAT IDEA – Bridport Co-operative Store Manager Rob Garland presents the cheque to Annette Plaistow-Trapaud watched by staff member Emma Paget

The event to be held outside Marks & Spencer at Castlepoint is to encourage children to participate in the second Castlepoint sponsored Fun Run to be held at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre on Sunday, 26 September to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Peter, aged 60, says that it will be a privilege to run a few miles alongside the very dedicated athlete who can often be seen in training running the length of the promenade between Poole and Hengistbury head – and back – in less than 2 hours.

“There is always a chance to run next to Liz at the Fun Run as she joins the races and encourages the young runners on the day,” said Peter.  “We hope to beat last year’s £1500 raised for the air ambulance through the fun run and spectators are welcome to join in the fun!”

Liz Yelling said that as it’s free for children to enter this year’s Castlepoint Fun Run it is hoped that they will be joined by lots of budding runners on the day.

Entry forms and full information for the Castlepoint Fun Run can be found by visiting www.castlepointshopping.com or from the management suite at Castlepoint (below Argos).

Photo Caption: Peter Matthews with Liz Yelling.

For additional information contact:    Peter Matthews   General Manager

Castlepoint Shopping Park   Tel. 01202 510050

The local community all came together to support this event which raised £5,200.  Local people and businesses donated prizes for a prize draw and raffle. Over 1,000 people attended the event which was deemed a huge success.

Owners of Lemon Tree Antiques, Les and Mo Watts and their friends and family were delighted with the final amount raised and hope to make this an annual charity event.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance fund-raising co-ordinator Nick Pearce said: “We are hugely grateful to Les and Mo and all the other people involved with organising this event.

“We pride ourselves on having an outstanding air ambulance emergency service and this is only achieved through constant support from the public as we receive no Government or Lottery funding. Lemon Tree Antiques and the local community should be very proud of their contribution.”

Lemon Tree Antiques is just six miles from the M5 Motorway and 10 miles from Wells.  It has 6,000 square foot of showroom space in a lovely old Primary School setting; beautifully adorned with high quality antique furniture (particularly oak), various period furniture, rugs, art and decorative accessories to fully furnish the home.

Between them they have raised £9,412 for Charity by holding regular events such as Balls, ‘Auctions of Promises’ and donations in lieu of presents at the families’ birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.

Pictured: Helen, Amy and Andy Gould visiting crew members of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The main events are the Dog Races where dogs of all shapes and sizes compete in hilarious heats, leading to a big finale.

This year the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was chosen as a major beneficiary, and on the 21^st July a quartet from the Club travelled to our airbase and presented a cheque for £1570 to Annette Plaistow-Trapaud and members of our crew.

Townswomen are discerning individuals with great concern and passion for their communities.  These ladies are members of the Townswomen’s Guilds, a professional organisation formed when women first won the right to vote, with the express aim of educating women about good citizenship.  The organisation has stood the test of time and remains a powerful lobby on national and regional issues, fighting on a broad range of matters today that affect men and women alike.

Members of the Bear Cross group recently presented a £250 cheque to Annette Plaistow- Trapaud (fund-raising co-ordinator) and congratulated the Charity on doing a marvellous job.

Townswomen’s Guilds members are nationwide, of all ages, backgrounds and experiences and meet up regularly through their 840 branches.  For more information and your local branch, visit: www.townswomen.org.uk

Although the 71 Club is no longer active, they still have regular reunions and social gatherings throughout the year.  The club recently held their 2^nd commemorative ride in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.