A CHARITY that supports struggling families in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland received a £1,000 boost thanks to a business’s fundraising efforts.
Goulds handed over the donation to Home-Start West Dorset, the result of efforts by staff and customers at the garden centre in Weymouth and its stores in Dorchester.
Goulds director Chris Gould said: “Each year we nominate a charity to benefit from the fundraising raffles held at our late night Christmas shopping evenings. Home-Start West Dorset does incredible work to support local families in their toughest times and we are pleased to have raised £1,007 for this deserving charity. We thank all our generous customers for taking part.”

The store gave ten prizes for raffles held in its Weymouth garden centre and its household and fashion stores in South Street, Dorchester, on November 2 and December 1.
Prizes vincluded gift vouchers, hampers, beauty products, planted containers and even a fresh Christmas tree complete with lights.
The Dorchester 1st prize winner, Ronnie Tweddle, was delighted with her win of a £250 voucher to spend in Goulds.
“What a lovely surprise,” she said. “I only entered to support such a worthy cause but I am delighted to win a shopping spree at Goulds. It is a store I have been shopping at for over 30 years!”
At the garden centre in Weymouth, the first prize winner of a £200 Christmas decoration voucher was Lynn Walsh, who enjoyed selecting Christmas goods from a vast selection at the store.

Helen Horsley, manager at Home-Start West Dorset, added: “We are delighted by the support Goulds has given Home-Start West Dorset. It has been an incredibly tough year for so many in our local community, and this welcome boost to our funds will go directly to support families who are struggling in Weymouth, Dorchester and West Dorset.”
The charity supports 70 to 100 families each year, and is expecting demand to increase with the cost-of-living crisis.
Helen said anyone who would like to help, either as a volunteer or with a donation, should get in touch.
To find out more visit www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-west-dorset