A CHARITY lunch at the Lowden Garden Centre in Shaw hosted by Classic FM presenter Anne-Marie Minhall has raised nearly £1,700 for the Frome-based cancer counselling charity We Hear You (WHY).

The centre’s events manager and WHY supporter Christopher Scott-Moody presented a £1,686 cheque to the charity.

The lunch for more than 100 guests was held on August 18.

They enjoyed live classical music from Welsh string quartet Cambria, a drinks reception and buffet lunch, an art sale, a raffle and a charity auction.

Ruth Knagg, Bid Writer at WHY, said: “We had such a great day at Lowden – it’s a beautiful setting and the food was fantastic.

“Huge thanks to Christopher for organising the event and to Anne-Marie Minhall, who was an amazing host and sparked a fierce bidding war in the auction to win a personal tour of the Global Radio HQ in London with homemade cake!

“Thanks also to John and Alison Sinclair for letting us use their lovely venue and to everyone who donated auction and raffle prizes and came along on the day.

“The total raised was £1,686, which will pay for more than 38 counselling sessions for people affected or bereaved by a life threatening condition.

“Events like these are so important to a small charity like WHY, both in terms of fundraising and also for raising awareness of the service we offer.”

To access WHY’s free professional counselling for people affected or bereaved by cancer or a life threatening condition, please call 01373 455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk.