On Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st November, everyone is welcome to do their ‘Christmas Shopping at Delawarr’.

Generously hosted and organised by Jo Broadway, Sarah Branson and Helen Lennox, the popular event brings together over twenty carefully curated stalls, featuring local crafters, producers and suppliers for a unique festive event. Over the last three years, 'Christmas Shopping at Delawarr' has raised over £25,000 for Oakhaven Hospice and the team hopes to raise much more this year.

Christmas Shopping at Delawarr will be taking place at Delawarr House, All Saints Road, Lymington SO41 8FB, from 1pm to 8pm on Wednesday 20th November and 9am to 1pm on Thursday 21st November. Come along for a browse with friends, enjoy a natter over refreshments, book onto the wreath-making workshop and take part in the ‘MEGA RAFFLE’.

Since Helen and Sarah founded Christmas Shopping at Delawarr in 2021 and launched a ‘raffle’ with prizes gathered from friends, family and their brilliantly loyal stallholder community, things have escalated somewhat!

In 2022, the volume and breadth of prizes on offer grew significantly and the phrase MEGA RAFFLE was applied as it was simply that, absolutely MEGA.

Having raised £13,500 in 2023 with the raffle hitting new heights, 2024 promises to be something of a blockbuster. With everything from a Voucher for a Reiki Session, a beautiful piece of handmade jewellery through to a sunset spa, afternoon tea at a stunning local venue, exquisite artwork and an overnight stay somewhere really boujee - there really is A LOT on offer!

Raffle Tickets are £10 per strip, there will be a small army of raffle ticket sellers at Delawarr poised and ready to assist you with your purchase. The draw will be at 1pm on Thursday 21st November at the event, with all proceeds going directly to Oakhaven Hospice.

Sarah Branson said: "This year has seen a record number of flagship local businesses wanting to be part of the Mega Raffle action and we are delighted with the level of positive community engagement we are seeing. Consequently, there are going to be some very, very happy winners. Obviously, last years event raised an unprecedented amount of money and we are in a strong position to emulate that success later this month.”

For more information about the stallholders and the raffle prizes visit www.facebook.com/ChristmasShoppingatDelawarr2024, or www.instagram.com/ChristmasShoppingAtDelawarr

All funds raised by Christmas Shopping at Delawarr will help to fund Oakhaven’s day-to-day running costs, which last year amounted to £8 million and from April will increase significantly following the recent Budget. With only 11% of funding covered by the NHS, your local hospice relies on kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from its charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd, to cover the remaining 89% of costs.