AN ARMED forces charity celebrated its 125th birthday in style.

The Soldiers Sailors and Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) was set up in 1885 to serve the needs of serving forces men and women and their families.

To celebrate the charity’s milestone birthday a special cocktail party was organised by the Weymouth and Portland and West Dorset divisions of SSAFA, on board the tall ship, TS Pelican, which was moored next to the Weymouth Pavilion.

Dignitaries and special guests from all over the area attended the event including SSAFA Dorset branch president, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Valerie Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Paul Kimber and ex-Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton.

The Lord Lieutenant gave a short address about the past, present and future of the charity before Valerie Singleton conducted the raffle.

With £700 worth of prizes on offer, which had been donated by local businesses, the event raised more than £1,000 for the SSAFA.

Lieutenant Commander Adrian Saunders, Divisional Secretary for Weymouth and Portland SSAFA, said: “It was a glorious summer evening and 160 guests enjoyed champagne, wine and a delicious buffet, before enjoying Brass Tacks, a local brass ensemble group.”

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Paul Kimber, who attended the evening, said that it had been a wonderful event.

He said: “We had a fantastic time and raised a significant amount of money for the SSAFA.

“TS Pelican is a fantastic outlet and resource for young people.”

The ship has left Weymouth harbour and is currently involved in a tall ships race around Belgium and Norway.

For more information about the charity visit the website www.ssafa.or.uk