A charity dodged the worst of the weekend’s wet weather to entice a crowd to come out and enjoy an afternoon of music, singing and swinging.

Fortuneswell Cancer Trust’s recent Swingtime, held in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens raising £2,746 for the Trust, which supports the Fortuneswell Outpatient Unit and Ward at Dorchester County Hospital.  

The free event saw people bringing their picnics, blankets, and umbrellas to sit and listen to music from the Bridport Big Band, Dr Jazz and the Moonlight Swing Band, as well as Ed Hintze and the Dorset Singing Choir. There was also a display of classic cars in the gardens.

Ed Hintze and the Dorset Singing Choir at SwingtimeEd Hintze and the Dorset Singing Choir at Swingtime (Image: Jane Norman) Swingtime has been running for more than 20 years and is the main fundraising event organised by the trustees, committee and volunteers of the trust. At this year's event, two of the team of reflexologists from the Fortuneswell Unit were offering reflexology sessions.

Loric Collins, vice chairman and trustee said: “Most donations to the Trust are from patients and legacies, along with other fundraising and bigger events done for us, but Swingtime is the Trust's main event where we do some fundraising, along with the raffle, teas and cakes.

“Thank you to everyone who took part, from the music and singing, the trustees, committee and helpers of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, and everyone who came along on the day and helped raise such a good sum.”

The trust was formed in 1998 and has raised close to £1 million to major projects at the hospital, funding specialised equipment, nurses conferences and courses, as well as reflexology for cancer patients.