Families, farmers and the sick are to benefit from an annual shopping festival this autumn.
The Durham Shopping Extravaganza committee has announced which charities are to be the main beneficiaries of the event in October.
Now in its 29th year, the DSE has raised in excess of £425,000 for more than 90 charities in and around County Durham.
This year’s two-day extravaganza – which takes place on October 4 and 5 at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham – will support DFW Adoption, a private adoption agency in Durham; St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham; My Sister’s Place, a domestic abuse charity based in Middlesbrough; and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
As well as the principal beneficiaries, other causes are expected to receive donations following the event, which raises money through ticket sales, a raffle, tombola and ten percent of stallholders’ takings over the two days.
Plans are well underway for the event, with over 70 hand-picked stalls already confirmed and last year’s sponsors – BHP Law, Sherwoods, Lycetts, Brewin Dolphin and Parklane Plowden Chambers – returning to support the DSE once again.
After successfully introducing evening opening in 2016, the opening times have been extended further this year from 12pm-8.30pm on October 4. Lunch is available in the marquee from 11.30am and there is a free glass of wine for every visitor after 5pm. The second day opening times are 10am-4pm.
Co-chair of the DSE Nicky Swan said: “We are delighted with the way this year’s event is coming together, thanks to the work of our volunteers, and we’re especially grateful for the continued support of our sponsors. The demand for stalls has been very high and includes some fabulous new names, as well as popular regulars that our shoppers look forward to seeing every year.
“We have met with all of our chosen beneficiaries, all of whom do a fantastic job in their particular areas of expertise and are thoroughly deserving of our support. Now all we need are lots of visitors to come along and enjoy two days of fabulous shopping, knowing that everything the DSE raises goes to charity.”
The DSE is accepting high quality raffle prizes and has opportunities for advertising in the event brochure, with space available at £45-£150. For more information, email: enquiries@durhamshoppingextravaganza.co.uk