A FAMILY fun day is being held in the Dorchester Borough Gardens to thank people for backing the Haiti appeal.

The Rotary clubs of Dorchester are staging the free event from noon to 6pm on Sunday, July 11.

It comes after groups and individuals helped the rotary clubs raise more than £42,000 for the disaster hit island.

Spokesman Pauline Camm said: “The fun day is to say a big thank you to the people of Dorchester and surrounding villages for their generosity in supporting the recent Haiti Appeal and the earlier Sumatra Tsunami Appeal.

“Entrance is free. It is not a fundraising event. Just bring the family, a picnic and a rug and enjoy some fantastic music with lots for the children to see and do.”

There will be a fire engine on display as well as live music from 2pm onwards.

Groups will include the Dorchester Big Band, Mill Street Jazz Band, and various young musicians from the Dorset area schools.

Other attractions will include stalls, tours of the gardens, refreshments, games and a programme draw.

More than a quarter of the £42,000 was raised by schoolchildren.

Money was used to send Shelterboxes and water survival boxes to Haiti.