With many conventional charity activities cancelled due to Covid, the Wonderful Studland Ladies, a group of women based in or near Studland have spent the last six months raising an impressive £15,000 for local good causes.
What started off as an idea in January 2021 to fill their time during the bleak winter months, has skyrocketed into a major fundraising operation with a different charity benefiting each month.
Tailored to meet the latest Covid rules
Activities have been tailored to meet the latest Covid rules, so it started with individually walking the equivalent distance to Egypt and back, continued with litter picking and letter writing, then developed into pop up events like selling cakes and a table top sale.
Local charities that have received a share of the cash so far include Margaret Green Animal Rescue, Forest Holme Hospice, Dorset Mind and #Willdoes.
Fundraising in June for Dorset Search and Rescue
This June, the Wonderful Studland Ladies (WSL) are fundraising for the organisation, Dorset Search and Rescue, a team of highly trained volunteers who work alongside Dorset Police, HM Coastguard and other emergency services in the search, rescue or recovery of missing persons. The team is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is made up of 89 operational and 18 support members, all of whom are volunteers.
To raise funds for this good cause, the WSL has organised a cricket match in Studland on Sunday 20th June 2021 and are tempting people to purchase their takeaway tasty afternoon teas, made up of four sandwich triangles, a slice of cake of your choice, and a scone with jam and clotted cream – only £8 or £15 for two!
“Grown into something quite special”
One of the WSL members and Studland resident, Lynn Elliott said:
“What started as something to do during lockdown has grown into something quite special. The main person who started it all off is Aggie Szabo – she’s great.
“Back in January, she asked us all to pick charities and we’ve been fundraising for a different one each month. We’re all amazed by how much we’ve been able to raise!”
“Receiving donations from within our community is fantastic”
Dorset Search and Rescue unit leader Charlotte Paull said:
“Having the support of local groups such as the Wonderful Studland Ladies is so important to us, as they’re raising money that allows us to continue saving lives in Dorset.
“We’re local people helping local people, so receiving donations from within our community is fantastic and we welcome any business, group or individual who wishes to raise funds for the charity – it really does help us to save lives.”
Further information
- The charity cricket match takes place from 2 pm on Sunday 20th June 2021 at the Studland Cricket Field by kind permission of Studland Bay House.
- Donations can be made to the Wonderful Studland Ladies’ charity for June, Dorset Search and Rescue via their fundraising website
