ALMOST £2,000 has been raised for a leading children's charity at a popular annual event in Helensburgh.

The local branch of Save the Children held its annual summer afternoon tea at Helensburgh Sailing Club on Friday, June 7.

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The event raised a total of £1,833 which will go towards Save the Children's work helping children and families in countries such as Ukraine and Palestine.

Guests at the event were treated to a demonstration by florist Marilyn Bevan, who showed the ladies how she makes bouquets and flower arrangements and recounted several interesting stories from throughout her career.

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Diana Macintosh, the chair of the local fund-raising branch, said: “Over 80 ladies attended and thoroughly enjoyed both afternoon tea and Marilyn Bevan’s very entertaining floral demonstration.

“Not only did she create three amazing arrangements but, while doing this, told us some very interesting and often amusing stories of events which had occurred during her very successful career.

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“The local committee would like to thank all who supported the event, by coming along, giving a monetary donation or a raffle prize.

“Special thanks must go to the Gingerbread Man for a voucher for coffee and cake and Cameron House for very generously donating a spa experience for two.

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“The success of our events, and hence the amount we in Helensburgh can send to help children in need throughout the world, depends so much on the support of our very enthusiastic supporters, for which we are extremely grateful.

“It’s been very hard for people to work in Gaza, but along with 33 other organisations, Save the Children are making a difference.”

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Marilyn was previously the chair of the Helensburgh Flower Club and worked as the senior florist at Loch Lomond Golf Club.

Marilyn donated her arrangements to the raffle, and they were won by two lucky guests.

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At the end of the afternoon the ‘Behind the Scenes Star’ award was presented to catering convenor Margaret Cameron by Diana.

Margaret has been in the role for nearly 40 years and works hard to ensure that all the events run smoothly.

(Image: Helensburgh Sailing Club)

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The local branch was established in the early 1980s, with the famine in Ethiopia one of the first major crises they raised money for.

Since then Diana estimates that around £400,000 has been raised in the Helensburgh area alone to support the work of Save the Children around the world.

Save the Children itself was founded by British philanthropist Eglantyne Jebb and her sister, Dorothy Buxton, in London in 1919, with the aim of protecting children and their rights