CHEERS from the beers! A Dorchester beer festival raised thousands to help a friendship club.

Dorchester’s popular Beerex Festival presented a cheque for £3,840 to The Friendship Club, a group for people with learning disabilities.

The group said they were "delighted" to receive the generous donation.

The project, run by charity People First Dorset, were the beneficiaries of the Round Table and West Dorset Campaign for Rea Ale event.

Robert Matthews, Chairman of Dorchester Beerex 2016 said: “The Beerex committee are delighted to have been able to make the Friendship Club the main beneficiary of this year’s festival. We wanted to support a local charity which makes a meaningful difference to the lives of those with learning disabilities in Dorset.

“The funds will help Laura and her team continue the great work they are doing”

The cheque was presented by members of Dorchester Beerex Committee at a Friendship Club event in the Halsey Arms, Pulham.

Dorchester-based Friendship Club member William said, “We are delighted to be chosen by Dorchester Beerex, and it was really nice to meet the people who gave us their kind donation.

“The support from the Friendship Club has enabled me to make and keep friendships, as well as do lots more things, so am very grateful to them for their help in keeping the club going.”

The Friendship Club is a user led project within the charity People First Dorset and supports adults with learning disabilities to access social activities in the community where they can safely make and sustain friendships. The benefits are numerous and members say they feel happier because they have friends, plus they feel more accepted by their community. Members say they feel more confident speaking up, have better living skills, self- esteem and improved wellbeing.

Project Manager Laura Kerr said: “The Friendship Club project is dependent on grant funding and donations, so this support from Dorchester Beerex is hugely appreciated to ensure we can continue supporting adults with learning disabilities to maintain friendships.

“The project not only creates opportunities for social inclusion but has enormous social value and makes a huge difference to the lives of our members.”