MEMBERS of the Brent Island Trust braved the rain and the cold to raise nearly £400 for trust funds on Saturday morning.

Manning a stall outside South Brent Stores, they sang carols, sold cakes and Christmas gifts and ran a tombola in the centre of the village.

The event has been a fixture in the trust calendar for more than 20 years and is one of their major fundraising events of the year.

The wet conditions meant helpers had a constant battle to keep the items for sale and tombola prizes dry, but they managed it. A group of hardy musicians accompanied the carol singers, while the helpers welcomed visits from the town crier, Father Christmas and a Scottish piper in full regalia.

The carol singing raised £57.80, the tombola made £149.00, the cake and gift stall £67.75, while a very welcome £115 was received in donations.

The grand total of £389.55 was slightly up on last year.

Trust secretary Phil Dean said he was delighted with the result considering the less than helpful conditions. He said: ’It just shows how important The Island is in the life of our community that so many people are prepared to help and support us.’