More than 100 excited youngsters enjoyed a late Easter celebration in Bournemouth thanks to Variety The Children’s Charity. The fabulous party was funded from part of a generous £6,000 donation from the Bournemouth BC Club to Variety Wessex.

The children, young carers from Bethany School and special needs pupils from Linwood School and Annie’s Nursery, were treated to a scrumptious lunch at the Marsham Court Hotel and entertained with magic, juggling and a sprinkling of comedy by entertainer Jamie Jigsaw. Before they went home, each child was presented with a super chocolate Easter Egg.

Frances Cornelius thanked Bournemouth BC Club saying: “Many thanks for all those smiley faces at the party. Without generous donations like yours these events could not happen. These children, who often miss out on parties, had such a fabulous time. Thank you too the chefs and staff at the Marsham Court Hotel for providing a lovely meal, to all those who donated to my birthday last month so that we could buy the Easter Eggs, to Lennie and Lorraine Segal who went out and bought them and then stored them for a whole month, and also members of my committee, Judy Hiscoke and Avril Owton, who helped on the day.”