DESPITE the oncoming bad weather thanks to Storm Ciara, 160 guests still showed up at Peebles Hydro on Sunday, February 9 to support three local and national charities with an afternoon tea fundraiser.

The Fizz and Fun Afternoon Tea, now in its fourth year, chose to support A Gift For Peebles, Good 2 Give and RNIB Talking Books.

A Gift For Peebles works to purchase needed items for local organisations such as Peebles Burgh Youth Band, the Activity Group at Haylodge Hospital, Peebles CAN and School's Out. Good 2 Give is a volunteer led charity supporting children and young people and their families across Scotland who are affected by cancer.

And RNIB Talking Books provides blind or partially sighted people with audiobooks.

Thanks to the afternoon tea, £5,025 was raised, an increase of nearly £500 compared to 2019's event which raised £4,530.

Not only were guests treated to a spread provided by Peebles Hydro, a wide variety of raffle and auction prizes were on offer.

Prizes ranged from a pet portrait session to a chocolate and pastry masterclass with Cocoa Black's Ruth Hinks.

Organiser, Linda Quinn told us: "It made the event truly unique and totally amazing with the number of vouchers and goods we received for our raffle and auction.

"We feel truly blessed to have such generous local businesses willing to support us."

Fellow organiser, Angela Preston added: "The afternoon tea the team provided at Peebles Hydro was absolutely outstanding, special mention has to go to head chef Grant, along with the attentive and faultless service Colin and his team gave throughout the afternoon."Special thanks to Harrisons Ford and Higgins Opticians who once again supported the event with very generous donations.

"To Stobo Castle who, for the fourth year donated a spa day for two as our star prize, and to Windlestraw Hotel and restaurant who donated a very special voucher for their 7 course taster menu for two."

Guests were welcomed to the event by the aptly named, Young Ambassador, Ciara, before being served a complementary glass of fizz.

Organisers also presented Marion Anderson, one of the volunteers who helped to organise tables, payments, and dietary requirements, with a bouquet of flowers.

Next year's event will be announced on the group's Facebook page which can be found at www.facebook.com/2020fizzandfunafternoonteaSundayFebruary9th