MORE than £5,000 was handed to good causes from funds raised at Wareham Carnival.

On February 24, organisers held the 2024 launch and presentation night at The Club, presenting cheques to worthy Purbeck causes.

Donations included: Dorset Search and Rescue (£500), Prime Time (£500), Sandford School (£500), Wareham Rugby Club (£400), Wareham Scout and Guide hut (£500), Julia’s House (£250), Purbeck Youth & Community Foundation (£500), Wareham Middle School (£400), Carey Hall (£500), Wareham Community Growers (£500) with £100 going especially to Ross, who maintains the plants all year round.

There was also a cheque made out to the sum of £400 presented to mayor, Carol Turner, to help towards senior lunches she organises.

Chair of the organising committee, Ian Davey, said: “I just feel so overwhelmed with pride for the support from both local business in sponsoring such an event and for all those who help along the way, be it local cafes/pubs offering us coffee and bacon sandwiches when we’re out and about putting up bunting, to businesses and the general public donating.

Wareham mayor, Carol Turner, receives a cheque to support lunches she organises. Picture: Sarah Cutler

“This year’s theme is ‘Sports, Music & Memories’. Memories being an important twist, as a mark of respect to recently departed Sue and Hugh Elms, both of whom were integral to our Wareham and wider Purbeckian community.

“Hugh was most famous for his involvement in the carnival with the Muddlecombe Men, as well as being a founding member of Wareham’s Purbeck Independent Simpletons’ Society and the Court Leet.

“Many of you reading may remember him with his strange pram-contraption, which he used to raise money for local charities on the streets of Wareham.

READ MORE: Wareham Carnival gives charity a boost

“Hugh was also renowned as a local historian and author of many varying informational pamphlets and books, always helped greatly by his wife, Sue, as she assisted with writing, publishing and illustrating various works.

“Rest in peace Sue and Hugh, we are left with many fond memories of you both and are very thankful for all you gave to Wareham over the decades.

“I am sure there will be many people in Wareham who would like to share some of their own memories in this year’s carnival parade, hopefully with some wild, wonderful and possibly very strange costumes – it wouldn’t be Wareham otherwise, would it?”

The 2024 Wareham Carnival weekend will run from July 19 to 21 at the Rec.