CHARITY fundraisers are set to take part in a special county-wide dinner event in a bid to help life-limited children and their families.

Inspired by the success of the Great Dorset Dinner five years ago people from all over southern England will gather for the renamed Great Wessex Dinner covering Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset to help three charities.

The money raised will be split between Naomi House, Jacksplace and Julia’s House.

Now organisers are searching for the next Heston Blumenthal or Raymond Blanc from Wessex to take part and have invited anyone and everyone to host a dinner at their own home to help raise as much money as possible.

Paul Morgan, fundraising manager at Naomi House, said: “We are really excited about the Great Wessex Dinners event and hope that hundreds of people will show their support for local life-limited children and their families by hosting a delicious dinner for friends and families.”

Included among those hosting a Great Wessex Dinner is Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, and Charlotte Townshend who helped to launch the event at her Dorset estate, Melbury.

Julia’s House ambassador and chairman of the organising committee, Russell Lucas-Rowe, said: “This time it’s an event that everyone across Wessex can get involved with, whether they live in a massive mansions or a bijou flat. This is going to be the dinner party of the year.”

To host a dinner or find out more, contact Di Pestell at Julia’s House on 01202 644220 or email diane.pestell@juliashouse.org.