LOCAL charities have collected profits from the first Community Christmas Draw, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Easthampstead.

The 18 charities collected cheques totalling to £7,075 at the Coppid Beech Hotel in Bracknell on Monday, January 14.

Charities who collected the distributed donation included Youthline Bracknell, South Hill Park Youth Outreach and Citizens Advice-Bracknell.

Liz McDaniel, from Me2 Club's who received a donation, said: “I very much enjoyed meeting other members of your Club and hearing from some of the other groups."

"It was great for us to be part of the Community Christmas Draw and the £300 we raised will going towards our next ‘Day Away’ in February.

The initiative allows local charities to continue with their work and benefit from the money contributed to the draw.

The charities are grateful that the draw enabled them to funraise without having to organise the raffle themselves, the Rotary Club of Easthampstead believe.

Ms Liz added: “I hope this initiative does become an annual event as last night did show what a big impact it had and I’m sure it will only grow over time."

After the presentation of the cheques the guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, for more information about the Rotary Club of Easthampstead visit: http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=533.